Anne Hart

One of the greatest things about books is learning from other people’s/characters’ mistakes.  In These Precious Days by Ann Patchett, she gives us a very intimate glimpse into some key points in her life. Thank you to Harper for sending me this ARC so I could feel like I was enjoying a little girl talk with Ann.   “Books were not just my education and my entertainment, they were my partners. They told me what I was capable of. They let me stare a long way down the path of various possibilities so that I could make decisions.” I Award 1st place to essay, These Precious Days about taking care of her friend Sooki.  The cover art of the book is by Sooki.  2nd place goes to To the Doghouse about how she became inspired to be a writer thanks to Snoopy.  And my 3rd place Award goes to Three Fathers about her Dad and two Stepdads.  These are all short and sweet stories that would be good for Bookclubs looking for a cozy read that will inspire members to sha...

Should the names of killers be excluded so we don’t empower serial killers? In A Killer By Design by Ann Burgess, she makes a point that solving crimes is about the victim, not the killer.  I had read about Ann Burgess in John Douglas’ Mind Hunter.     I did like   John E. Douglas ’ “ Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit ”.   I loved that A Killer by Design was from Ann’s perspective.   The FBI unit relied on Ann’s research yet as a non-agent she had an interesting relationship with the agents.   Ann found “sexual violence was more about power and control than the act of sex itself.” She didn’t come to this all by herself and also gave credit to Candace Delong.   This book was hard to read at parts because it felt like the serial killers wanted to talk about the crimes, specifically their thoughts, actions, sexual preferences, likes, etc. It freaked me out how they were almost bragging.   While I enjoyed getting Ann’...

Have you ever visited the 9/11 World Trade Center memorial in New York?  I have not, but now I have to go after reading Blue Sky Gone by J.S.Farmer.  This beautiful tribute to those affected by the 9/11 attacks was a page-turner.  I loved all the relationships between the two sisters Audrey and Hannah.  It’s great how two sisters can be so different yet so alike.  The details in Audrey’s police training were fabulous as the author was a police officer.  Hannah’s love interest, Travis was a bit too good to be true but I loved him.  The great thing about this story is it follows up with the after-effects of the 9/11 attacks.  The trauma and injuries are still being dealt with daily.  Although this book is like a warm hug, there is no sugar coating the actual events or aftermath.  It’s not just a great story,  it’s an example of how to cope with tragedy.  I loved this book.  

Is there an author you want to read every book they’ve written? After I read The London House, I knew I wanted to read every book by Katherine Reay.  So I’m making my way through her books.  The Printed Letter Bookshop was next on my list and it did not disappoint.  It’s a warm cozy read about legacies, friendships, and the power of books.   Madeline inherits a small bookshop from her estranged Aunt Maddie.  Madeline has a career as an attorney through so she decides she will sell the bookshop and continue her life as usual.  Due to a setback at work she stays longer than intended trying to get The Printed Letter in better shape to be able to sell it.   The employees at The Printed Letter, Claire and Janet become much more than employees to Madeline.  Although Madeline is the main character, the chapters alternate from her point of view to also that of Claire and Janet.  All three are facing life issues and changes.  Each one of...

What is the creepiest neighbor you’ve had?  In Karen McQuestion’s The Moonlight Child the Fleming family definitely deserves the creepy neighbor award.  The story starts out by introducing us to a different family.  Wendy is a Mom dealing with Morgan who is a troubled teen dealing with drugs.  Morgan has disappeared.  Then we meet Amy, an attorney who helps children in foster care.  Amy calls her Mom, Sharon, and asks her to take in Niki, a former foster child.  Sharon agrees and that is how we meet the creepy Fleming family.  Mia is a little girl at their house which no one knows about.  The Fleming Mom, Suzette is a psychopath.  Jacob, her son, is likable but also lacks a spine.  He has the ability to help Mia escape which makes his character so frustrating.  I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to handle the book but the “abuse” is primarily mental.  The neighbors, Sharon and Niki, know something is wrong.  ...

Have you ever tried to read a book just because you wanted to feel young, cool, and hip?  When I first tried reading A Visit from the Goon Squad, it was for purely selfish reasons.  It was like I wanted to be able to say I understand post-postmodern literature.  Bragging rights that I’d read the book were what I needed.  When I tried reading it though, I was pissed.  I read to escape work, not read more PowerPoint presentations.  And I thought if this is a bestseller, I can write something so much better.  Obviously, I was wrong.  When I read a review that said to read it like a collection of related stories, then I got it!  Now, 10 years later I really get it.  Basically, it’s the story of Bennie and his younger troubled assistant, Sasha. It explores all the people which connect Bennie and Sasha.  It explores how time (the goon) gets us all.  I re-read this book in anticipation of her newest book The Candy House which h...

Do you like to be alone or around other people?  I’m a people person.  In The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman, the main character Nina likes to be alone.  She has severe anxiety.  Her life revolves around the bookstore, her cat, trivia competitions, and her planner.  She talks to her cat named Phil and she mimics him talking back.  Nina's planner is a character in itself.  She has two coworkers Polly and Liz who keep her in check with their witty banter.  The trivia competitions were hilarious.  She meets Tom.  She likes him but likes being alone also.  Her life is interrupted when She learns the identity of her father.  She was raised by her nanny, Lou, as her famous photographer mother traveled.  He has died leaving her innumerable sisters and brothers with ages ranging from fifty-nine to ten.  She also gains many nieces and nephews.  It was fun watching her and others learn the things they had ...