I Am Half-Sick of Shadows

Alan Bradley again delights readers with his precocious, chemistry-obsessed protagonist Flavia de Luce in I am Half-Sick of Shadows, the fourth book in this charming series. The Christmastime installment opens with Flavia’s father, who’s fallen on hard times (he’s selling off family heirlooms left and right), agreeing to rent out the family’s decaying estate (known as Buckshaw) to a British film company. The film crew arrives, and with it comes the beautiful screen siren Phyllis Wyvern. It doesn’t take Flavia long, however, to realize that while she and her sisters may be star struck, not everyone else is so enamored with Ms. Wyvern.

Right before Christmas, the residents of Bishop’s Lacey are invited to Buckshaw for a Shakespearean performance courtesy of Ms. Wyvern and company. When a massive snowstorm prevents anyone from leaving the estate, it’s the perfect opportunity for someone to commit murder (think of all the possible suspects!). Flavia, of course, is the first to discover the crime (always so nosy!) and her sleuthing begins, much to the chagrin of the hamlet’s chief inspector.

In addition to capturing the killer(s), Flavia also has her heart set on capturing Saint Nick, proving his existence to her sisters once and for all. To do so, she sets about mixing up buckets full of birdlime that she places across the rooftop and down the chimney to ensnare poor, unsuspecting Saint Nick on Christmas Eve. Flavia’s character is truly brilliant and her schemes are laugh out loud funny.

I liked that this book really seemed to shed more light on the de Luce family, which struggles with all things emotional and familial. Bradley is a terrific writer and anyone who enjoys a lighthearted read with wonderfully developed characters should add I am Half-Sick of Shadows to the stack of books on your bedside table (or to your Kindle). You won’t be disappointed.

Start The New Year With A Laugh

If you've never read one of the Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich (and there are now 18), let me tell you that you’re missing out. I’ve helped several friends become addicted to this series and they’re all thankful that I did!

The “heroine” in the series is Stephanie Plum, a 30-something, slightly inept bounty hunter who works for her lowlife cousin Vinnie’s bail bonds agency in New Jersey. Evanovich has created plenty of colorful characters and situations that are completely outlandish, but I guarantee they’ll have you laughing out loud. Sure, the books are formulaic, but that’s part of the fun. In every book, Stephanie and her sidekick Lula (a full-figured former prostitute with a love for animal-print spandex, sky-high heels and her Firebird) will consume ridiculous amounts of fast food at all hours of the day and night (think Cluck in a Bucket for breakfast); the duo will attempt to apprehend folks with failure to appear warrants—and fail miserably; Stephanie’s car will explode; crazy Grandma Mazur will attend a funeral and cause a commotion; and Stephanie will continue debating if she wants a relationship with hunky cop Joe Morelli or should just lust after Ranger, the Cuban-American owner of a security company/bounty hunter and, generally speaking, someone you don’t want to mess with.  

In Explosive Eighteen, Stephanie returns from a Hawaiian excursion with a tan line on her ring finger and a tale about Morelli and Ranger having a brawl that would make Jerry Springer proud; Joyce Barnhardt, Stephanie’s longtime nemesis, is presumed dead; and multiple ne’er-do-wells and bogus FBI agents are trying to kill Stephanie because of a photo that mistakenly ended up in her possession. Oh, and all of the previously mentioned antics happen too.

While Explosive Eighteen and the other books in the series are never going to win any major literary awards, they’re certainly an entertaining way to spend a lazy afternoon or day at the beach (hint: add a cocktail for more enjoyment!). So, pick up a copy of One for the Money this weekend (the movie starring Katherine Heigl hits theaters January 27) and make getting to know Stephanie your new year’s resolution. 

The Thirteenth Tale

The Thirteenth Tale is, without a doubt, the most unusual and interesting book I read in 2011. Diane Setterfield’s engrossing tale revolves around Margaret Lea, a biographer who owns an antique book shop with her father in London. One day she receives a letter from Vida Winter, one of the country’s most prolific (think Jodi Picoult in terms of volume!) and celebrated authors. The elusive, aging Ms. Winter wishes to secure Margaret as her biographer, promising to finally reveal the truth about her ambiguous ancestry. What exactly is Vida hiding, and why? Margaret, longing for details about her own past, is intrigued by the offer and accepts, traveling to Vida’s countryside estate to begin the assignment.

As Vida’s mesmerizing story unfolds, Margaret learns of the strange, aristocratic Angelfield family, whose lineage is filled with tragedy and dark secrets. Yes, this story has it all — murder, deception, destruction and twin sisters Emmeline and Adeline who border on creepy. The captivating, gothic tale of the Angelfields feels almost familiar (think hints of Jane Eyre), yet is truly unlike any novel I’ve read in recent years.

Setterfield has created a smart debut novel full of twists and turns. Margaret and Vida are both complex and surprisingly simple characters whose intertwined quest for truth provides the healing journey for which both have yearned. If you’re looking for a read that will keep you guessing right up until the end, this one is definitely for you!

The Postmistress

Single, 40-year-old Iris James is the postmistress in the small town of Franklin, Massachusetts, during the early years of WWII. She maintains order, doles out mail to the residents, and above all, she follows the rules.

Emma Trask is the wife of the town’s only doctor, Dr. Fitch. When he attempts to atone for a tragic medical event by volunteering to serve at a military hospital in London, Emma’s world is turned upside down. Before leaving for Europe, Dr. Fitch entrusts Iris with a letter for Emma in the event he never returns home. It will be Iris who will bear responsibility for delivering the news of his death to his young, pregnant wife.

In London, plucky radio correspondent Frankie Bard (who works with Edward R. Murrow) brings the heartrending details of the war to the living rooms of her American listeners. As she travels through Europe, she records the stories of countless displaced Jewish families, capturing the human spirit of so many affected by the war. When Frankie leaves Europe and travels to Franklin, the lives of these three female characters become intertwined.

I received this book for Christmas last year and finally got around to reading it. I’m glad I did (and I think you will be, too!). Sarah Blake has penned an impressive, heartstring-tugging debut novel, full of love, tragedy, hope and sadness. Sure, it’s another novel about WWII, but the approach she takes—focusing on the reporting of the news and its effects—makes the subject matter seem fresh. As I finished the book, it made me reflect on all the positive things I have to be grateful for in my life. Certainly worth adding to your list!







Clara and Mr. Tiffany

As someone who has always been fascinated by beautiful stained glass, I was pleased to see that one of my favorite authors, Susan Vreeland, had written a novel sure to mesmerize with the back story of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s breathtaking nature-inspired lamps and other works of art.

The inspiration for Clara and Mr. Tiffany came from a collection of personal letters discovered in 2005 that revealed a young woman named Clara Driscoll was responsible for the design and production of these lamps—which became synonymous with the Tiffany name—as well as other exquisite works of glass that brought Tiffany much fame and fortune during the early 20^th century.

Vreeland expertly brings to life the story of Clara Driscoll, a talented artist who moves to New York City to find work in the design studios of Louis Comfort Tiffany during the birth of modern America. Forced to leave her job when she married (Mr. Tiffany had a strict policy against hiring married women), Clara returns to Tiffany’s as a young widow and takes charge of the newly formed women’s department, as it was widely believed that women had a finer eye for color selection and the attention to detail that Tiffany’s stained glass projects required. A heroine of sorts, Clara is fiercely loyal to her “Tiffany Girls” during a time when the fight for women’s equality is picking up steam. Throw in an intriguing cast of eclectic, artistic characters who reside at Clara’s board house and I think you’ll enjoy Clara’s journey to find a balance between love, her career, and her relationship with Mr. Tiffany.

Looking back on this novel, I think it may be a bit tedious for some readers, given all of the details about the glass manufacturing process (which I loved). But if you enjoy a well-researched, well-written novel, I think Clara and Mr. Tiffany would make an excellent choice as we head into the cooler, leaf-changing days of fall!



One Day





After reading great reviews about David Nicholls’ international bestseller One Day, I decided to give it a whirl while on vacation. Alas, I was more than a bit disappointed. The story meandered along, leaving me thinking, “Where is this going?” with each turn of the page. Sure, I liked the clever premise—each chapter offering a glimpse into the lives of Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley on the same July day of each passing year. But it was utterly predictable from the start. I think I was also distracted by the fact that Anne Hathaway (annoying) and Jim Sturgess (what?) are playing the leads in the movie. Did those responsible for casting even READ this book? If you’ve read it, I’d love to know what you think about the casting choices!

The story goes like this: Emma and Dexter spend a romantic night together in 1988 on the eve of their graduation from college. A close friendship develops, but it’s easy to see that both have deeper feelings for the other. As we keep up with the pair over the next 20 years, we witness the ever sarcastic Emma working at jobs that are completely beneath her and dating hapless men (poor Ian)—all while struggling to become an author. Then there’s Dexter. He’s the hot-mess host of some ridiculous British tabloid-style talk show who fills his days and nights with drugs, booze and beautiful women.

After trudging along for pages and pages (will Dexter and Emma just get together already?!?), tragedy strikes. I admit, I didn’t see this little twist coming. As I finished the final few chapters, I felt the book had somewhat redeemed itself. However, best to borrow this from a friend rather than pay for your own copy if you still insist on reading it!

Vaclav & Lena

I just finished Vaclav & Lena while vacationing in Michigan and it is one of those books I hated to put down. This debut novel by the talented Haley Tanner tells the story of a Russian family living in Brooklyn: 10-year-old Vaclav, his overprotective mother, his father (who drinks his weight in vodka on a daily basis), and Lena, a neighbor who has stolen Vaclav’s heart.

Vaclav and Lena are classmates who spend each afternoon at Vaclav’s home completing their homework assignments, eating dinner, and most importantly, practicing their magic act. Yes, Vaclav’s dream is to be a famous magician (how he admires David Copperfield and Houdini!) and he envisions Lena as the lovely assistant, always by his side.

But Lena’s home life is deplorable. An orphan, she lives with her aunt, an exotic dancer who has no time to care for a child (and doesn’t really want one around). With a profession like this, the reader can only imagine all of the unsavory elements Lena is exposed to. Vaclav’s mother, Rasia, realizes the tragedy of Lena’s situation and does what she can to make sure the girl is provided for and protected. But one afternoon, Rasia makes a shocking discovery, and because of her good intentions, Lena disappears from Vaclav’s life.

With each passing year, Vaclav (who’s still practicing magic) continues to hold out hope that he will be reunited with Lena. Will that reunion ever happen? Pick up a copy of this sweet and heartbreaking novel to find out for yourself. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.