Sandy's April 2013 pick

The One-Way Bridge by Cathie Pelletier
  
     Cathie's first novel in some years takes us back to the tiny town of Mattagash, ME., way up north near the Canadian border. The wait was worth it - the novel is warm, poignant, and funny. All of the characters are richly drawn, believable, and compelling. These are people that every rural dweller knows - Harry, the Vietnam vet who is unable to talk about his war experience, even to his beloved wife; Billy, the drug dealer who is hiding out from some very bad men in Portland; Edna, bored with her marriage and yearning for something more; and many others.
 
     I frequently found myself laughing out loud on one page and sniffling on the next, from Orville the mailman's unpleasant encounter with Harry's moose mailbox to the happy ending (happy for most, anyway). I highly recommend the book. Read it now, then come to Gibsons and meet Cathie on May 17.

Sandy's February 2013 pick

Francona: The Red Sox Years, by Terry Francona & Dan Shaughnessy

Sandy's October 2012 pick

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

Because the publisher did not release advance copies, no one was able to review the book before its release, so I knew nothing about it. Although I did know it would be nothing like Harry Potter, I relied on the quality of that series in picking up her first novel for adults, and I was not disappointed. I loved it! The story is terrific - in a small English town, a member of the town council has suddenly died, and there is a scramble to fill his place. As characters are introduced we become aware of the deep divisions in the town (political and otherwise) and how many secrets are kept. Her characters are wonderfully, richly drawn, and very human (no Harry Potter-type heroes here), so true to life that you feel you know them. Several teenagers are prominent characters, so I recommend the book to young adults as well.

Sandy's August 2012 pick

The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker
This lovely, lyrical YA - Adult crossover novel is a coming-of-age story with a twist: in the not too distant future, the earth's rotation has begun to slow, leading to longer days and eventual global catastrophic consequences. Our protaganist is an 11 year old California girl coping with the usual pre-adolescent crises - alienated parents, betrayal by friends, a newfound interest in boys - when suddenly (scientists can't explain why, there are many theories) the earth slows its rotation. The changes are gradual - the birds start to die, then the plants. People get sick. Populations panic.
It sounds extremely unpleasant to read, and yet the writing is so lyrical, and the characters so compelling. I couldn't put it down. It's heartbreaking but sweet (as my co-worker Heather says). I highly recommend it.

Sandy's second July 2012 pick(s)

Redbreast and Nemesis by Jo Nesbo

I have belatedly discovered the novels of Jo Nesbo, amazingly suspenseful, intelligent and addictive. Nesbo has been called the Norwegian Stieg Larsson, and is considered by many to be a better writer than Larsson. His detective, Harry Hole, is an alcoholic chain smoker who struggles to survive the Scandinavian winters. The story line continues from book to book (which can be frustrating as not all have been published in the US). The plots are complex and very suspenseful, indeed unputdownable. Start with Redbreast, and walk the grim streets of Oslo with Harry.

November 2011

In King's latest tome, his protagonist travels back in time to thwart Lee Harvey Oswald, thereby preventing not just Kennedy's assassination but also escalation of the Vietnam War and myriad other ills. Jake Epping discovers to his surprise that he doesn't want to return to 2011, in spite of the horrible deeds he's called upon to do in 1958-63. It's a great read - a compelling story, the usual fun King pop culture references, and above all a bittersweet meditation on the nature of love.