Book review: Manhunt by James L. Swanson

Since February marks the birth of two of the United States' most revered presidents and houses the national day of remembrance for all U.S. presidents, the Second Monday Night Book Club decided to read about Abraham Lincoln. We opted not to choose a single book and, instead, gave each member the freedom to read the book of her choice. I was going to read Team of Rivals, but the size of the tome seemed a bit overwhelming. I knew that I wouldn't have much time to read anything but business-related documents during the last couple of weeks of January and the first couple of weeks of February, so I decided to wait until summer to break open that book.
Manhunt was recommended by my friend, Cherie. And, I can tell you, it was a great recommendation!

I will provide more comments after book club meets. I think they need to hear my review first.

Book review: Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

I met Ann, a friend and former colleague of mine, for a breakfast a couple of weeks ago at the Good Earth restaurant in the Galleria Mall in Edina. The temps were well below zero, but braving the elements was well worth it. Over sips of Good Earth's wonderful herbal tea, we caught up on each other's lives (her son is a very talented actor and was auditioning for a rare spot in NYU or Yale's master's program in theater that weekend -- can't wait to hear the outcome), talked about mutual friends and acquaintances, and, of course, talked about books.

Ann introduced me to Ms. Winspear and the book with the title character, Maisie Dobbs.

After reading so many books that took place during or just after World War II, I was grateful to find that Maisie's story took place in the years just following World War I. Maisie is highly intelligent, quirky young woman who runs her own detective agency. The only daughter of a widowed greengrocer in London, Maisie is given a position as a maid in the household of a progressive upper-class household. She is discovered reading in the library in the wee morning hours by the lord and lady of the manor and is given the opportunity for an unusual education by someone who could only be described as a combination pathologist and psychiatrist. The story has a decidedly feminist undercurrent -- I love it when smart, strong women are central to the story. The book is a mystery with a bit of romance and war thrown in.

I found Maisie to be an original character and thoroughly enjoyed the book. Many have compared Ms. Winspear's writing style to that of Alexander McCall Smith's The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. I can easily see that comparison as I have enjoyed all of Mr. Smith's books because of the peculiarities of the characters, the gentle cadence of the language, the underlying commentary of a larger social issue.

I am going to look for other books by Ms. Winspear. I would readily recommend Maisie Dobbs to other readers looking for a deftly-told mystery.

Book review: The Sisters by Lori Lansens

Ever since I opened a copy of the Guiness Book of World Records when I was in sixth grade and saw a photo of Eng and Chang Bunker, I have been fascinated by cojoined twins. I would read ever article, watch every television special, that followed the fragile life of two individuals connected by cells that opted not to split. A few years ago, while shopping at Target in Minnetonka, I saw the amazing Hensel twins -- the young women from rural Minnesota who each have an arm and leg, but share a torso. The story of these amazing young women has been well documented on Discovery Health and I was amazed to see a brief story on the AOL home page that noted the girls' 18th birthday. Needless to say, I was predisposed to like this story -- just on the basis of the main characters, Rose and Ruby Darlen, cojoined twins.

The Girls is a remarkable story. A blend of comedy and tragedy, the book looks at what it means to be different and to be proud of those differences. I loved it.

Book review: The Mistress's Daughter by A.M. Homes

There is one thing that has always bugged me about this book. I always thought that if a word ended in the letter "s" and you wanted to demonstate a possessive, that you merely added an apostrophe. But, the editor of this book added the apostrophe and another "s". Huh? Shouldn't it be The Mistress' Daughter? Am I really that screwed up with my punctuation. Oh, well.

Regardless of my issues with the title, I found this memoir to be absolutely beguiling. It's the true story of a woman -- given up for adoption by her single birth mother some 30 years before -- and her quest to find her true identity and truly define family. It makes you think about self-defination - are you defined by your environment or your genes?

The book is charged with emotion. So well crafted that you will experience the author's anger, profound sadness, and elation. It will move you.

Book review: Candy Girl by Diablo Cody

Just about everybody is aware of Diablo Cody today, thanks to the success and kudos that came with her screenwriting of the film Juno. The same wit and charm evidenced in Juno comes through in Candy Girl, Cody's memoir of the year she spent as an exotic dancer. The book is both fascinating and repulsive. When she describes her job working in a booth at Sex World, a Minneapolis XXX-rated book store, you can't help but go EWWWWWWWW. So gross. Too graphic in parts. But, I have to admit that I couldn't put it down. And, I did love her opening lines, "Nobody comes to Minnesota to take their clothes off, at least as far as I know. This ain't no nightclub. Here in the woebegone upper country, Jack Frost is a liberal, rangy sadist with ice crystals in his soul patch." Love those lines.

Definately not a book that you'd want to share with your mother. But, put it a plain brown wrapper, take it on vacation, and you're bound to have some fun. Especially if you have a couple of pops and then start reading passages aloud to your partner.

Book review: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

I read this wonderful, riveting book last summer and my positive verbal reviews meant my copy of Water for Elephants was making the rounds from beach bag to backpack to purse as my friends traveled to locations near and far. Gruen is a masterful writer and I was captivated by her story of love, murder and an amazingly large heroine. It's clear by the number of endorsements that this book has received that many other readers enjoyed Water for Elephants as well.

This book is strongly recommended. Would make a great book club read.

The visitor

My husband is a very generous man. Especially when it comes to opening our dog-friendly home to the occasional canine guest. I am more than happy to welcome the visting dog when the weather is warm and bowzer can enjoy the great outdoors and the luxury doggie condos that are connected to our garage. But, tonight, my spouse pushed my naturally good-natured hospitality to the edge.

My beloved agreed that we would take care of our German shorthaired pointer's daughter for a week. Fine, I said. It's going to be frigid so she'll be unable to stay in the outside dog kennel. Fine, I said. You're going to have to take her into the vet so she can get spayed while her owners are on vacation. What the -- fine, I said. She might be coming into season. Swell. And, oh yeah, I have to go away on business so you'll have to care for them. Yippee.

With that as backdrop, you can only imagine the greeting I received when I finally got home tonight after a two-hour commute in the snow. One husband chatting on the phone while our two male canines (a 3 year old and a pup) worked themselves into a frazzle competing for the attention of the female. Barking. Running. Chasing. Chewing, Licking. Humping. Peeing. And the constant ring-a-ding ding of the bell hanging on the back door to alert us if the dogs need to go out. I need to go out. Bark. I need to come. Ding. I need to go. Bark. I need to come in. You get the picture. This evening, I found it all to be extremely irritating. Maybe I'm just crabby. Nah - couldn't possibly be the case.

I am happy to host dogs for overnight stays. I just want to host on my terms. Too much to ask? I don't think so.