To The Nines

I was very much pleased with To The Nines. I was starting to think someone has lost their edge. Finally the series gets back to being funny. Stephanie has her quirkiness back. The sex/love tension between Morelli and Ranger always a nice item to read. Oh to have the problems that Step has with those two. LOL! Not much on Grandma Mazur or Stephanie's family. Thought it would be fun to read about Lula and Stephanie, but I was wrong.

The Lula character was a bit much this time around. I get it Lula is overweight and the way she thinks is waay outside the box. But having to always hear that she needs meat was a turn off. Even at the end of story where she needs food for stressful situation. Ok I got it already. And guess you need something "funny" to close on for Lula.

Connie was an interesting character outside of work. Always a good time, especially in Vegas. Albert and Valerie was good to read also. Switch it up a bit.
Some things that I thought amusing:
A new job for Stephanie with nuts and bolts. Not! Funny stuff describing her co worker. After going undercover to find Singh, she is paired up with Jane Locarelli. Jane looked like she'd just rolled off an embalming table. Now that's a description for ya. She gets some flowers and not so nice photos at her apartment. She drops the photos and calls Joe. Someone broke into my apartment and left flowers and ph-photos. Should I call the police? Honey I am the police. "So I'm covered". "Okay just checking." You got it girlfriend, boyfriend is a cop. A Ranger moment where he puts things in perspective. Joe has no life, he is the job. Stephanie you have one. You shop for shoes,you eat Butterscotch Krimpets, have a hamster, and half owner of a dog, and 30% of a cop, also a scary family. For throughout the rest of book Stephanie thinks, really only 30%
 Finally a time where Ranger and Stephanie work good together even if Ranger pushes Stephanie in a bush while taking someone in. Even if Ranger is her bodyguard with his Merry Men. Merry Men indeed, poor guys always mistaken for something that Stephanie freaks out with.

As I was reading about the game that Clyde was playing I couldn't help but think the story line was a bit on the Saw series side. How each player needed to do something in order to complete the task and stay alive Seeing at work, how movies and writing (books) can go hand in hand.And how they can help one another. That's not saying when a book comes a movie.

I guess it's on to the next one I go. I give To The Nines 4------------->

Just because of the repetitiveness with Lula's eating meat.

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Dream When You're Feeling Blue

First time reading this author. The story was a very good one. Not too light and not too heavy. I think the way the author wrote about the war was telling all that there is to tell from a book that is a romance too. I remember the stories my father would tell me. Brings back memories. Especially when the letters that they write is always somewhere in ... My dad's was always somewhere in the South Pacific.
There was something that was said by one of the brother's in the story. He posed a good question. Is war a sin? It makes you think if someone is telling you it's bad to kill someone but the military goes in and things happened like that at times. It is confusing. And with that section I believe was answered a way that a young boy can grasp. Kudos for showing that the women can, and did make a difference. Kitty Heaney did just that. Knowing more about a wrench was more satisfying than doing girly things. She felt she was doing her part.
The relationship of the three sisters, Kitty,Louise,and Tish were strong. They're job to make the soldiers feel better was to write to them about anything. Along writing their boyfriends. Kitty did wonder if writing these boys did any good but her dad,Frank Heaney put it a good way. A soldier needs to believe, he needs us to believe in him. Don't show him by mourning the fact that he's not here. But by celebrating the life we are privileged to lead because of his sacrifice.
Even though relationships didn't work out. I really thought that the girls that eventually found the guys for them would end up with them. But the ending of story did change. I guess those sisters were strong and stuck together. And not to let it go unmentioned their mother,Margaret was a strong woman herself. With raising girls and boys. Six children dealing with eating disorder from her son,and a baby to beat. You have to lean on family to stay strong.

Was a bit confusing when author would write characters, all the children, as calling their parents, Margaret and Frank Heaney  as not part of their family but regarding them as passive caretakers.So that was different. I had no favorite character. All the characters were as equally good. Even the flames,Julian,Hank,and Michael  Other than that I enjoyed the story. Must of since I finished reading it faster than other stories. I wouldn't mind reading another of Elizabeth Berg's books.


I give Dream When You're Feeling Blue 5 

This is a bookcrossing book and hope to send it along to another bookcrosser. Hope they like as I did.

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The Stupidest Angel

Always heard about this book. Never got to read it. In honor of one of my book friends that recently passed away, I thought I would read it. Since it is the season and all plus she sent me this book for my birthday.

Very interesting story it is. Not your typical holiday story.

I think my favorite characters were Molly and Theo, and Tuck. Maybe for good measure Roberto, the fruit bat (that could speak?), and the Narrator. 

Molly and Theo really had a good chemistry. The Narrator was just a bonus for Molly in her head.( I know I could talk with my invisible character. LOL!) Tuck he grew on you.

I like the conversations that the graveyard had with one another. Pretty good points they had. Loved the DJ. "Marty in the Morning,all dead,all the time".

I could of did without the zombies. But all turned out. The stupid angel finally got it right with his wish. Knowing now that he does better without granting a person (child's wish) and just doing some general work. Funny how the angel could hear Molly's narrator. And knows that people can be pretty in other ways.

I thought the added on chapter was kind of a waste. Seemed forced to me. Especially with Roberto being able to talk and communicate to make a happy holiday.

Hoping to send out to another bookcrosser. And will like the story as much as me. I give The Stupidest Angel 4 

Just because I felt it didn't need extra storyline.

Looking forward to reading more of the Pine Cove characters.
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The Book Thief

I liked this book very much. I didn't have one favorite character. It took me awhile to figure out that Death was the narrative part. I thought that was most interesting that it saw good and bad in humans, "I am haunted by humans." But it got a bit confusing at the end. The relationships that Liesel had with her "papa" and Max I feel were a good story. That is where the "book thief" is connected. Liesel was the "book thief without the words," How she learnt to read and even find common interest with Max who gave Liesel a whole new outlook on describing things. To go and write her own story.

For a good story, Jewish/German was a bit tame. And was glad to see that it was written that Liesel and Rudy finally knew more than was said how the people were treated. Seeing papa do a kind thing by offering bread crumbs. And later having the children do the same gives them a better look at was to be. It wasn't quite a strong ideal but gets the message across. I didn't give enough to "mama" but there in the end Liesel did have some nice things to say about her. In her own way mama did love Liesel.

 The story had to end sadly. But to know Liesel does find someone important is comforting. What a shame. But of course it was all put together nicely. What does a book and an accordion have in common? They all tell a story. And you hear what it says.

I give The Book Thief 4 

I feel that the background was a bit weak.

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The Rose Hotel

 The Rose Hotel 

                                                             

I usually don't like non-fiction books but this one was an exception. Although it is 2 different cultures that we live, we are still the same. Reading that the Iranian boys are considered men at 15 years and settle down, not all feel they are ready. As the older son Abdollah found out. And for that this dutiful son acts out. Even his sister Rahiheh wanted to know why Abdollah didn't want to hear his favorite singer or go see her at the movies. Their father Baba, as they called him kept the family in line. He tries to be reasonable but customs are not to be thrown around lightly. And each child did try to adapt to the western culture once they were there.

This story was written for around the period of the Iranian Revolution. The family was asked to protect their Ayatollah in their hotel. And much like us other things were brought about that went wrong and was asked to help.
But sadly when Baba asked for help with his son Abdollah it was never given. Why? Because Baba stood up for the innocent.
For that it lead to so many downs including a life. It messed up the other children's lives also. Maman as they call their mother, went through a terrible time in her life, losing a son and have breast cancer. For years all struggled with their lives to the point when Rahimeh was old enough to try to do something. At one point there was a break through. Each child left his/her guard down long enough to feel better about themselves. Even Baba and Maman took a turn around realizing their blessings are right in front of them,their children,and grandchildren.

Each one went through their own kind of therapy. Some found their healing in religion, travel, and meditation. Life itself was everyone's teacher. Each one found their own way of telling their story.

I give The Rose Hotel 5 

because Rahimeh used her story as a tool to help others. Doesn't make a difference if it's our culture or someone else's. This story helps her family and people who have similar fears and joys. By telling one's own story opens up a whole new world.

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