SAXTON B. LITTLE FREE LIBRARY
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Saxton Reads! & Reviews

We invite the public to post reviews to our catalog by logging into our online catalog. Reviews will then be posted to this blog. Comments can be added to existing posts or may be added as separate reviews on our catalog
SEPTEMBER 28, 2008
The Lace Reader ~ Brunonia Barry

**** First Rate Storytelling

ckubala
This is the perfect book for the month of October as its witches, wiccans, Calvinists and the history of Salem are so much a part of the story. Salem, itself, is as much a character as any person, and the history of Ipswich lace making is woven throughout. Though some liberties are taken with both of the above, Brunonia Barry has researched well and is historically accurate. The story begins as Towner Whitney is called home to Salem from her new life in California to find her great aunt Eva who has disappeared. She tells you straight away that she is crazy and that you should never believe her, that she always lies. She is an unreliable voice in the story but it is hard for the reader to know to what degree her story is or is not true. You find out early on that Towner had a twin sister, Lyndley who committed suicide and that Towner is still working through the grieving process. Several other well drawn characters draw you into this tangled web. May, Towner's mother whom she despises, Aunt Emma Boynton, abused wife of Cal Boynton, adopted mother of Lyndley, and Great Aunt Eva, the main lace reader and mother figure to our heroine. Like the lace of the title, the story weaves one way and then another and different point of views are explored in alternating chapters. Each chapter begins with a quote about reading lace from The Lace Reader's Guide. Chapter One begins

The Lace Reader must stare at the piece of lace until the pattern blurs and the face of the Seeker disappears completely behind the veil. When the eyes begin to fill with tears and the patience is long exhausted, there will appear a glimpse of something not quite seen. In this moment an image will begin to form…in the space between what is real and what is only imagined.”

First published in 2006 and reissued in 2008, The Lace Reader has been thrown into the limelight once again through word of mouth promotion. Psychological suspense, spells, the lure of the sea, and the vicious dogs of fictional Yellow Dog Island will keep you on the edge of your seat.

A sequel is planned for 2009 which is disappointing to hear. I think it will take away from the strongly told original tale to continue the story. Sometimes it's better not to know all and in this case, allow me to come to my own conclusions.

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2008
I Capture the Castle ~ Dodie Smith

****

Mercedes
I really enjoyed this book. It had been sitting on my To-Read shelf for quite some time and I finally started it. I love old books that are "contemporary" like Jane Austen and Edith Wharton. You learn so much more about the culture and time and how the people living then felt about it. Fascinating. My only problem with this book is that about 3/4 of the way through, it seemed to stall and it felt like forever to push through, mostly because the teenage main character was dealing with being love sick which I have little sympathy for. But once I got nearer to the end, the action picked up again and the book finished well.

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2008
Sunshine ; McKinley, Robin.

****
Mercedes
I'm actually torn between three stars and four for this book. I'll go with four for now... I'm a huge fan of Robin McKinley but not so much of her newer stuff. Her writing style which was unique and descriptive in the beginning has become long-winded, parenthetical, and information comes in drips with long stretches between. When this first book came out I was put off by the subject and decided to skip it. Recently I read the Twilight series and then was looking for a new book to read and thought I'd give this one a try. Besides a relationship existing between a human and a vampire, there aren't really any other similarities. McKinley really is a fantastic writer. Her settings are amazingly well-developed for being imaginary and her characters are always well drawn. I've enjoyed her immensely and have read and reread her older works many times. I do hope that she might return to her older style of writing while retaining her recent use of contemporary settings. The blend of fairy tale fantasy with a world closer to our own is refreshing. But if her books continue to be anything like her latest book (about dragons) I'll have to keep skipping. I could not finish it. At least I finished Sunshine.

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2008
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society ; Shaffer, Mary Ann.

*****
Judy
This quick read will transport you to another time (post World War II) and another place (London and the island of Guernsey). You'll grow to love these varied characters through their letters to each other as they reveal their personalities, recent experiences, and passions. During the war Juliet wrote essays for London newspapers. When she receives a letter from a fan in Guernsey, their correspondence leads to Juliet's move to the island. In this new world she learns about another side of the war and a very different way of life. From lovelorn girls and gracious Nazis to curmudgeons and compassionate friends -- from history of the war and the island to gardening and island life -- there's something for everyone in this well researched novel.

Add a comment  (1 comment) posted by ckubala

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2008
The soloist : a lost dream, an unlikely friendship, and the redemptive power of music ~ Steve Lopez
*****
Norm Hyer
This story of a musically talented man, trained at Julliard, discovered living on the streets of Los Angeles due to his having schizophrenia, is an amazing and informative read. A reporter just happens to spot him and then sees a chance to write another column for his paper. What makes all that happens next both interesting and compelling is that ultimately the reporter is drawn more and more into his life and circumstances. Serious music as part of his rich inner life is what he lives for and the only place he truly functions. Relationships, physical health care, cleanliness, safety, medicine for his mental disorder, a decent place to live in, are all strongly resisted. Professional advice is divided on how to best deal with his many problems. Support services are not always well suited to his unique behavior. Progress is slowly made with much sacrifice and frustration for the reporter. In time, he is trusted by this tormented man and finds that he is the one most transformed and in ways he never expected. This is a very human story of compassion and altruism in an area of our society where it is most needed. Written beautifully in an easy to read style, is the awareness and individual growth gained in a real friendship between this sensitive writer and the troubled artist.

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2008
Garden Spells ~ Sarah Addison Allan

***** Magical

bas bleu
In a small, North Carolina town, the Waverly women have always had a history of unusual talents. Claire Waverly is a caterer who prepares her recipes with plants from her mystical garden. The garden also contains a feisty apple tree that possesses special powers and actually becomes one of the story's delightful and eccentric characters. Garden Spells is a fairy tale for grown ups. The author has created a magical and delicious story that will appeal to a broad range of readers -- those who love cooking, gardening, stories about family relationships, or just a gentle, captivating love story.

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2008
Down the Garden Path ~ Beverley Nichols

*****

Betty
A delightful book! My first thought after reading this "older" book was-why didn't I read it sooner? I immediately shared it with my neighbor & thought of my sister who loves gardening. A witty book-not only about gardens, but about relationships as well. The author appeared to be a very unique, interesting individual. I would have liked to have known him. I wish I was his neighbor!!! I found myself taking a page full of notes. Then I headed back to the library and took out two more of his books!!! Then I checked for the names of all the books he wrote! Enjoy!!!!

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2008
The Year of Fog

*
bas bleu
Abby Mason is walking along San Francisco's Ocean Beach with her fiance's six-year old daughter, Emma, when she stops to photograph a dead seal pup. By the time Abby looks up, Emma has disappeared. The remainder of the novel recounts in exhaustive, obsessive, and laborious detail the search for Emma and the guilt felt by Abby. A friend asked me to preview this book after someone had recommended it to her as a possible choice for their book club. I was afraid to tell her how drawn-out and tedious the book felt to me -- you could skim the entire middle section and not miss a thing. Fortunately, my friend shared similar feelings about the book: a contrived plot with unlikable characters. However, it might be a good choice for a book club. From other reviews I have seen, readers either love it or hate it. This will result in lively discussions!

Add a comment  (1 comment) posted by ckubala

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2008
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle ~ David Wroblewski

*****
Betty
Interesting read-really enjoyed-read the 500 pages in 4 days! I am a dog/animal lover, but don't think you have to be to enjoy- full of insight & knowledge into the world of dogs. This book kind of reminded me of a King or Koontz book. Lots of insight into the relationship between man & man, man & dog, and man, dog and nature. Not sure how I felt about the ending. Real good book!

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2008
Devil in the White City ~ Aptly Named

*****
ckubala
As a true crime fan, I picked this up initially as H.H. Holmes is billed as the first serial killer in the US. How could I resist this tease? But as I read, the killings became less important (not to belittle the awful loss of life) and the building of the fair took on a life of it's own. The fair became a character, more than a backdrop for this well told story. I was enthralled by the images and history Erik Larsen shared. This book was a jumping off point for interlibrary loan of many other books dealing with the fair itself. I loved the weaving of Holmes story and the fair. H. H.Holmes certainly was an evil man, handsome, smart, and charasmatic, like many serial killers. If I met him, I'm positive I would have liked him and that's what is truly scary. Watch the DVD H.H. Holmes: America's first serial killer / Waterfront Productions presents a John Borowski film ; producer, John Borowski ; writer, John Borowski ; director, John Borowski also available at the library. I had read Isaac's Storm (Larsen) before this for a book discussion in our library. We all agreed we liked the author's writing but didn't care about the people as much as we thought we should in Isaac's Storm. Thunderstruck is on my bookshelf waiting for my the right reading moment. Mr. Larsen is top-notch on my list.

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