Rutabaga's Reads 2014: Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of Rutabaga’s Reads 2014. I haven’t read these books any too recently, nor have I re-read them. I’ll admit that these stories were not ones I really enjoyed, but that doesn’t mean you would agree with me. As I always aim to do – and have hopefully been successful – I pointed out the strengths I found in each book.

Angels & Demons (May 2000) by Dan Brown.

When a discrete particle physicist calls Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, he understandably asks, “Are you sure you’ve got the right Langdon?” Another physicist has been viciously slain at CERN¹ (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) and has the word Illuminati – in ambigram form – seared into his chest. Being the symbologist he is, Robert knows of the Illuminati. Summed up, they’re science lovers and religion haters. As Robert gets involved in the investigation, the body count rises as the Hassassin unleashes his awful evil. The murdered physicist’s daughter, Vittoria Vetra (a Bio Entanglement Physicist), gets caught up in the hunt for the Hassassin. Together, they travel to Rome to save the Vatican from being wiped out by a canister of stolen antimatter. At multiple moments, it is a life-and-death adventure.

            While I enjoyed “The Da Vinci Code” more, “Angels and Demons” is a fast-paced thrill ride. It’s over-the-top with many twists and turns. I am middle-of-the-road on this one; I didn’t love it, but I didn’t dislike it, either. Especially when facts are expected – in this case, scientific and historical – I like to have a little more background, but sometimes all of that information, especially when it’s new, can put your mind on information overload. Many of you have probably read this book, so you know it’s a “smart” read and not a laidback one.

¹Located in Geneva, Switzerland, CERN operates the world’s largest particle physics laboratory.

The Mission Song (Sept. 19, 2006) by John le Carré.

Bruno Salvador is a half-Irish/half-Congolese orphan-by-abandonment. He’s a handsome twenty-nine-year-old in a sour marriage who’s fluent in multiple African languages such as Kinyarwanda and Shi. His affinity for languages has made him a top interpreter in London. He’s sent to interpret at a conference and also to decipher recordings that are coming from hidden microphones that the attendees don’t know about. The conference is between Congolese warlords and their supposed Western backers known only as the Syndicate. Bruno learns of a coup and tries to prevent it. Will he succeed?

            I found this adult fiction book to be intelligently written. It is ripe with corruption, affairs, displeasure and even torture. I may be wrong, but I don’t recall it having much humor. The major turn-off for me was the vulgar language. I’m not wimpy about coming across vulgar language, for I can always skip over those words or mentally re-word them, but I felt as though every other sentence contained the “f” word. And actually, that’s not even an exaggeration for parts of the book.

            Have any of you read other books by le Carré? I’m curious to know if all of his books are like that or if only this one is.

Silent Thunder (July 8, 2008) by Iris Johansen & Roy Johansen.

The Silent Thunder of the story is a decommissioned Soviet submarine, and Hannah Bryson, marine architect, has the honor to inspect it. It’s her job to make sure every inch is safe before it’s visited by thousands. Her brother, Connor, helps her examine the sub. A mysterious message is discovered, but there’s a deadly assault onboard before it can be deciphered. Hannah’s warned not to, but she leaps into investigative mode anyway. She has good reason, and she’ll join forces with a mysterious man called Kirov. Good thing, too, for she’ll need his aid to survive.

            Iris Johansen teamed up with her son for this adult fiction suspense-thriller. While you can see I. Johansen’s signature touch, R. Johansen adds some more to the Johansen novel. It is brisk, and the points that appear to be based on fact seem to be well-researched.

Storm Cycle (July 21, 2009) by Iris Johansen & Roy Johansen.

How far would you go to save your sister? I don’t have one, so I don’t really know. However, I do have a sister-in-law and a soon-to-be sister-in-law. They should know that I would totally fight off a dark wizard, defend them from Downworlders Shadowhunter-style or kick a zombie in the face for them. (I could add more, but let me not get carried away!)

            Rachel Kirby is a techno-geek (or computer genius) attempting to piece together something which may cure her younger sister, Allie, of a rare disease called Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (a.k.a. GLD or Krabbe’s Disease). It’s a rare disorder of the nervous system. A man named John Tavak uncovers an important secret in an Egyptian tomb that may save Allie and many more. Unfortunately, there are enemies who want that secret and are not afraid to use violence and wreak death in the process. Rachel and Tavak will have to put their expertise together to keep that secret out of the wrong hands.

            The plot is outlandish, but as it is thriller fiction, there’s nothing wrong with that. There are twists and turns and a betrayal or two, violence and suspense. I actually didn’t mind either of these Johansen & Johansen novels. It’s just that following one Johansen is enough for my reading library!

Wicked Lovely (June 12, 2007) by Melissa Marr.

Sight can be a powerful thing. “Sight” in this case is the ability to see faeries. Aislinn has always been able to see them, but they’re not the Disney variety. These faeries are powerful and dangerous and can be downright vicious. There are three simple rules about faeries.

   Rule #1: Don’t ever attract faeries’ attention.

   Rule #2: Don’t answer invisible faeries.

   Rule #3: Don’t stare at invisible faeries.

Trouble is, those rules aren’t helping Aislinn. Faeries are noticing her, including Keenan, the Summer King, and he wants Aislinn to be his Summer Queen. Why?

            Faeries and mortals intermingle in this YA urban fantasy story. Love and danger swirl around in this book. It’s not that I didn’t find the book interesting; it simply wasn’t one I loved. I think Marr creates a well-imagined world within a contemporary setting in “Wicked Lovely.” If anyone’s read this book or the whole series, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.

Rutabaga's Reads 2014: Part 1

Here is Part 1 of Rutabaga’s Reads 2014. I’ve been referring to this compilation as my Hodgepodge Edition, thanks to the range of age categories and book genres. Happy Hodgepodge to You!

Odd Interlude: A Special Odd Thomas Adventure (Jan. 1, 2013) by Dean Koontz.

Adult Thriller/Mystery/Science Fiction.

Welcome to Harmony Corner. Incidentally, you won’t find harmony there, but there is a corner. Odd Thomas will have to take care not to get stuck in one. Oddie has a sixth sense “with several facets,” one of which draws him to places of trouble. That is how he comes to arrive in Harmony Corner. Despite its name, grave darkness lurks. It may lurk in the man with the horrifically scarred face or the mother whose daughter is too beautiful to live. What is the evil presence that appears to inhabit Harmony Corner? Oddie intends to find out and save them, despite doubting his heroic abilities. The “too beautiful” daughter is Jolie Ann Harmony, a sarcastic twelve-year-old, and she helps Oddie out in a pinch. Oddie finds that he especially wants to save her, so that she can live her life and not merely endure it. Will she take it with a grain of salt? Can Oddie save her and her family?

            This was the first time I’ve read a Koontz book, and I was pleasantly surprised by it. Honestly, I thought it’d be a little dry when in fact I liked it. There is humor and sarcasm and fun allusions to modern- and former-day characters/people/literary works. I’d recommend this book to those who like some sci-fi with their fiction. Odd Thomas is a character who’s likable because he’s a hero but doesn’t think he is. It makes him humble, yet he’ll resort to drastic measures like “unapproved borrowing.” Both witty and dark, it lives up to its odd title character -- not odd in a weird way, but a good one.

Princess Posey and the First Grade Parade (May 27, 2010) by Stephanie Greene.

   Stephanie Roth Sisson, illustrator.

Chapter Book Fiction.

Like many young girls, Posey is no stranger to playing dress-up, and when she puts on her pink tutu, she becomes Princess Posey, the Pink Princess. As the Pink Princess, Posey feels she can do anything, even walk into her First Grade classroom by herself. But without her tutu … she’s just Posey, and that Posey is scared to enter First Grade by herself. There’s a chance meeting with Miss Lee, her new teacher, and Posey has an idea to propose. Will Miss Lee be receptive to her idea? How could this idea help allay Posey’s first-day jitters?

            “First Grade Parade” is a cute chapter book, geared for readers who are ready to read more than picture books. Posey’s dilemma is entirely plausible, and I think the story would resonate with many young readers. After all, how many of us remember first-day-of-school jitters from when we were young? This is also a story to lift kids up. They may not be able to make Posey’s idea a reality, but perhaps they’ll find the confidence needed to face their first day of school head-on.

Ruby Valentine Saves the Day (Aug. 1, 2010) by Laurie Friedman.

   Lynne Avril, illustrator.

Children’s Picture Book Fiction.

Can you guess which holiday is Ruby Valentine’s favorite? It’s Christmas! Kidding. It’s Valentine’s Day, and she’s just moved to the hill outside town. Valentine’s Day is nearing, and she’s prepping for a big party at her house to celebrate. Even her pet bird is helping her prepare. She’s invited everyone in town, and when the big day comes, the area’s been covered by a snowstorm! How will Ruby handle things when her plans have to change? And change again?

            This children’s tale has a lot of pink and red and hearts. Her bird is named Lovebird, her house has a heart-shaped window, she sits in a heart-backed chair, and the town is called Heartland. It is a cute story for Valentine’s Day with rhyme and colorful illustrations. The sugary sweetness feeling of it all might make some adults cringe, but anyone can appreciate Ruby’s generous spirit. It’s a nice story of celebrating with those you love, and it has a great message that’s good for any age!

The Secret Keeper (Sept. 3, 2013) by Beverly Lewis.

Christian Fiction.

Farewell Modern World, Hello Amish Country! Jennifer Burns has yearned for a simple life since she was a little girl. After meeting an Amish gal several years ago, she’s decided to leave her fancy life – where she never wanted for anything growing up with money – and travel to the Old Order Amish community of Hickory Hollow in Lancaster County. Jenny has plans to learn the Amish ways and eventually be baptized. But is she ready to give up her modern life completely? To say good-bye to her car and electricity? To be of a humble and submissive spirit? She witnesses someone going someplace one shouldn’t, by order of the Bishop. That person asks Jenny to keep the secret, which eats at Jenny. After all, she is working to be a baptized member, learning everything from darning socks to speaking Pennsylvania Dutch to Amish etiquette. She’ll have to confess everything she knows when her Proving time comes, but that would betray a trust. What should she do?

            Rebecca and Samuel Lapp become hosts to the seeker, Jenny. Rebecca is open to welcoming her, albeit with some anxiousness over Jenny’s worldliness and knowing that she lost her only daughter to the modern world. Will she feel like she’s failed as a mother if Jenny leaves Hickory Hollow and returns home? Samuel is exceedingly wary of the seeker to the point that he practically ignores her. Will he warm to the seeker’s presence? Marnie Lapp is the Amish gal who encouraged Jenny to come to the Hollow. But Marnie’s going through a conundrum of her own. Does she dare defy her stubborn father’s expectations to fulfill the request of her betrothed?

            Lewis’ Hickory Hollow is fictitious, but the Hollow’s setting within Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is a real place. I appreciated the point of view this story followed, being from that of an Englischer wanting in. I continually enjoy how Hickory Hollow seems like such an idyllic place, yet it’s not without its trials, and, in the case of this book, its secrets. Lewis’ books are very good, fictional literature, and they also provide very good insight into the Old Order Amish way. There are definitely gender roles, but there is such a sense of positive spirit, love and community. And figuring that out is no secret!

            Book One in the Home to Hickory Hollow series: The Fiddler

            Book Two in the Home to Hickory Hollow series: The Bridesmaid

            Book Three in the Home to Hickory Hollow series: The Guardian

Vanishing Beauty on the Backroads (Jan. 16, 2010) by +Julie Bronson.

Photography Book Nonfiction.

The landscape is silent, and times of a bygone era stand still in Julie Bronson’s first book of photography. Previously I summarized and reviewed her “Vanishing Barns” book. This first book focuses on dilapidated houses, most of which are long-abandoned. Looking at the houses now, there is a sense of loss -- loss due to time passing and loss due to abandonment. Some of the photos are almost eerie to look at, as if the ghosts of yesteryear lurk within the shells that remain. And that is part of the wonder of the book.

            The images Bronson captures represent ever-fleeting pieces of local history. It is like seeing a firefly light up in the night: You see it – THERE! – but before you know it, the firefly and that moment are gone. It is sometimes the case with this vanishing beauty. There one day, but perhaps gone the next because of time, nature or man. The page numbers in this book are helpful, and I really liked the story from her aunt. Bronson’s passion for photography is evident, and if those walls could talk, surely they would thank her for visiting.

            See Also: Rutabaga’s Reads 2012: Part 9 for “Vanishing Barns on the Backroads.”

Happy 2014!

Happy New Year! Another year has come and gone -- another year of good things, bad things and those things in between. Another year filled with joy and sorrow, laughter and tears, moments of greatness and moments perhaps better forgotten. Another year filled with days of adventure, melancholy, happiness, routine, contentment, delight and stress. Another year of hellos and of goodbyes.

            I don’t know exactly what your days were filled with last year, but I hope you smiled more than you frowned and laughed more than you cried. As we said hello to 2014, I hope you took hold of the reins with one foot in reality and the other in dreams. Whether your dreams provide hope, momentary escape from your present, or goals for your future, I hope you keep those dreams. But don’t forget your reality, for our dreams cannot become reality if we’re not also rooted in it.

            What are you looking forward to this year? Do you already have travels set and adventures planned? Are you graduating, switching schools or returning to school? Are you getting married? Are you moving? Whatever this year brings you, please have a safe, healthy and wonderful year. Blessings and happiness to you all! --Lisa “Rutabaga”