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Tag: book club reading
The Tenth Circle, by Jodi Picoult
This book was difficult to read at times as the dialogue left so much to be desired. While the book was interesting, the writing was below average. I’ll give Picoult credit since she kept me interested and provided enough twists throughout to make it worth reading. Still, the characters, particularly the daughter, were hard to believe. I rounded up to three stars, but I wish she wrote more compelling dialogue and didn’t make so many of their thoughts so obvious.
Blonde, by Joyce Carol Oates
I should preface that I am an Oates fan, and I enjoy her descriptive style of writing. This book was enjoyable and flew by despite being an incredibly long novel. The despair and the longing in the character of Marilyn Monroe is sad yet captivating. My only issue with the novel is that Monroe comes off as a victim all the time with seemingly no responsibility for her own actions; it’s always someone else’s fault that she made a poor choice. I give it four stars and recommend it, particularly if you like novels where the main character is hopelessly flawed.
The Girl On The Train, by Paula Hawkins
After reading “Into The Water,” this was a breath of fresh air. I’m always nervous when a book is hyped so much, but Hawkins delivered just the right amount of suspense and character development. I won’t nitpick the aspects I didn’t enjoy, but I rounded up from 4.5 stars. See kept my attention the entire time, and she kept me guessing as to who the true “bad guy” was. I wish the ending had played out differently, but here I am complaining again.
Meet The Author, Donise Sheppard
Enjoy getting to know, Donise Sheppard:
Thank you for joining me today. Tell us in three words how you would best describe your writing.
Articulate, clean, and pithy.
Your book, The Altered: Subsist, was released April 22, 2016. Share a passage that you’d like for us to enjoy.
Then several things happen at once. Daren’s face turns from playful to horror and he yells my name as I feel strong arms grab me across the waist. I see Mr. Forest look up and aim his bow as Daren begins to climb the ladder. I’m pulled back, hard, and yanked to a door that probably leads to the store below us. I try kicking and hitting and biting to get away, but it’s too late. I’m being taken. I’m going to become an altered. Or worse.
You’ve been presented with the opportunity to be a best-selling author, but can never write again, or write forever, but never have a bestseller. Which scenario sounds more tempting?
Even though being a best-seller is on my bucket list, I would give it up if it meant never getting to write again. I’m not me when I’m not writing. I will continue to write for the rest of my life, even if I never sell more than a few copies.
If you could live on a college campus and never leave, or live in a small town but be able to travel, which one would you choose?
Considering I already live in a small town, I’d have to be really unhappy to choose a college campus. Living in a small town isn’t so bad. We can go wherever and do whatever everyone else does, it just takes a little longer to get to the city.
Okay, how about in an amusement park or in an airport?
I would probably choose an airport because they have a bar area where I can sit and write and enjoy the occasional drink.
And how about Ireland or Germany?
I would move to Ireland in an instant. From the country to the cities to the culture and the accent, everything in Ireland sounds completely amazing.
Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?
I honestly don’t have a favorite 90’s band. I was born in ’91 and didn’t really get interested in music until I was around twelve, and then it was more solo artists than bands. Hootie and the Blowfish were pretty good, though.
Are there any good bands out there today that we’ll talk about in 50 years?
I don’t know about everyone else, but I have several bands I’ll still love in fifty years: Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Skillet. Probably a ton more.
And what about your favorite comedy on TV (My favorite is still The Office)?
I have to pick just one? Friends is my all-time favorite, followed by Roseanne, then Will and Grace (which is back, btw). If I’m picking from current shows it would be Will and Grace, The Good Place, The Ranch, and Grace and Frankie. Yep. I can’t pick just one.
Is there anything you’re currently working on?
I have a very long work in progress list. I have a young adult, science fiction novel I’m working on, I’m editing three short stories, I have to edit two young chapter book, I’m writing a young chapter book, there is another short story about mermaids I’m working on, and a ton more story plots that I have written down.
Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?
I have two favorite authors: Jodi Picoult and J.M. Ames. I would ask Jodi why, with so many credentials, did she choose writing as a career. I would ask J.M. why he waiting so long to become a writer, instead of starting as a teen like most of us.
Lightning round:
Ocean or mountains? Mountains
Yogurt or ice cream? Ice Cream
Chocolate or Sour Candy? Chocolate
Jimmy Fallon or Stephen Colbert? Jimmy Fallon
Happy or sad ending to a novel? Sad
Beer or wine? Beer
Flying or driving? Driving
Hemingway or Twain? Hemingway
You’re stranded on a desert island, and you can take two things with you, as well as two people. What and who are you bringing?
I would bring a tarp to catch water so we don’t dehydrate, and matches to start fires to cook food. I would also bring my husband so he can hunt and tell me which plants were edible, and my dad so he could build us a boat to get off the island.
You’re able to sit down with any leader in world history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him/her over to your house, or meet at their place of royalty?
I would meet up with John F. Kennedy, who could have been America’s best president if given the chance. I would love to shake his hand and personally ask him what plans he had to make our country better. I would definitely meet at their place because I think my house may be too small for his security team.
You can wish for one thing and one thing only (not world peace and no more wishes). What’s it gonna be?
I would wish for the unlimited opportunity to travel where I want, when I want, for the rest of my, all expenses paid.
Author Bio
Donise Sheppard is a fiction writer born in Ohio, but residing in Southern West Virginia with her husband and four children. She has five self-published novels on Amazon including The Altered series, a short story published in A Haunting of Words titled “Coal Run Road”, a short story published in Tuck Magazine titled “Walk Tall”, and a short story titled “Broken” in the anthology Relationship Add Vice. When she isn’t writing, she’s reading, baking, or chasing her rambunctious children.
Lily Alone, by Vivien Brown
I found the book to be different from anything I’ve read lately, and that is a good thing. Brown introduced just the right amount of characters and connected them nicely. My biggest qualm is that I would have liked to know more about the main characters. I give it 4 stars and recommend it if you like drama-type novels. It’s set in England, so that is an added plus as well.
Meet The Author, Warren Alexander
Enjoy getting to know, Warren Alexander:
Thank you for joining me today. Tell us in three words how you would best describe your writing.
Funny, clever, nettlesome.
Your book, Cousin’s Club, was released in April 2017. Share a passage that you’d like for us to enjoy.
“Look! Here’s an envelope from Flora,” my mother said, “but it’s empty.”
“What’s the postmark?”
“Los Alamos, New Mexico.”
“Isn’t that where Davy Crockett died?”
You’ve been presented with the opportunity to be a best-selling author, but can never write again, or write forever, but never have a bestseller. Which scenario sounds more tempting?
I write, so I can write some more. I would be shocked if any novel of mine became a best-seller. In any event, I would refuse any Faustian arrangement.
If you could live on a college campus and never leave, or live in a small town but be able to travel, which one would you choose?
If you chose either Princeton, NJ or Berkeley, CA then you could have both.
Okay, how about in an amusement park or in an airport?
I found neither amusing nor comfortable.
And how about Ireland or Germany?
Very narrow and arbitrary choices. The Irish literary tradition is incalculable, especially when you consider their small population.
Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?
I am an old guy and like the oxymoronic category Classic Rock. So, in the same vein, I would take REM.
Are there any good bands out there today that we’ll talk about in 50 years?
Is there a group called “I Haven’t A Clue.”
And what about your favorite comedy on TV (My favorite is still The Office)?
This is a subject I could actually speak about for days and never bore myself. Others surely, myself, no. I like comedies with an edge, wit, and with a large dash of irreverence. Of today’s lot, I like Larry David and Veep with Julia-Louise Dreyfus.
Is there anything you’re currently working on?
I am working on a satiric novel about business. It is my revenge after 45 years of working. I am also working on a short story about a saxophone player and a changing neighborhood.
Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?
Laurence Sterne. This is no one magic question or answer. And if you think there is, you will miss the last 50 years of your life.
Lightning round:
Ocean or mountains?
If I am on skis, the mountains, in a boat well…..
Yogurt or ice cream?
When you start to hear kids scream after a ball game, “We want yogurt,” it is time to move to a cave.
Chocolate or Sour Candy?
When was the last time someone said that they could not live without sour candy? Can you imagine bringing giving sour candies on Valentine’s Day? Now, there’s a guy who will be lonely for a while.
Jimmy Fallon or Stephen Colbert?
Colbert, Fallon is Late Night Lite.
Happy or sad ending to a novel?
I hate happy endings but sad endings must make sense.
Beer or wine?
Diet Coke.
Flying or driving?
Don’t own a car or a plane.
Hemingway or Twain?
Twain. Wit and insight. Hemingway always gets in his own way with his macho BS. As time passes Hemingway will become more of a historical curiosity than a literary lion.
You’re stranded on a desert island, and you can take two things with you, as well as two people. What and who are you bringing?
Something better than a volleyball. I would take my wife and someone who would know better than to recommend a diet of seaweed.
You’re able to sit down with any leader in world history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him/her over to your house, or meet at their place of royalty?
Nebuchadnezzar so I can ask him what his friends called him, but at his place because I doubt he would he would bring the right cookies. I would choose either Václav Havel or Nelson Mandela and ask the differences between being a dissident and the leader of the same nation.
You can wish for one thing and one thing only (not world peace and no more wishes). What’s it gonna be?
An appreciation of others.
Warren Alexander was born, raised, and still lives in New York City. He was identified as a cynic by his kindergarten teacher, and he honed this quality under the tutelage of Thomas Keneally, Peter Carey, and E. L. Doctorow at NYU, where he received his MA in creative writing. He recently came in second in Cutthroat’s fiction contest, judged by Michael Matrone. He is also a decorated photographer.
The Ninth Hour, by Alice McDermott
I’ve rarely been as excited to finish a book, though not for the best of reasons. Still, you can’t appreciate a good book without reading a bad one. This book was not poorly written, exactly, but it was painfully boring. I wanted desperately for it to finish as the story lagged along, and it provided very little for me to care about, hence the two-star rating. As I reflect on the book, I don’t see a point in its story and cannot understand how it won an award or even got published.
Meet The Author, C. K. Phillips
Enjoy getting to know, C. K. Phillips:
Thank you for joining me today. Tell us in three words how you would best describe your writing.
Creative
Suspenseful
Believable
Your book, The Survival Initiative, was released in June, 2017. Share a passage that you’d like for us to enjoy.
We stepped up our pace and were almost sprinting. We turned a corner and were stunned by the scene in front of us. Miami Police blocked the roads. Behind them, we could see heavy dark smoke and flames shooting into the sky. It was bedlam and people were running everywhere. The sounds of sirens mingled with the panicked screams of people scrambling away from devastation that just a short time ago had been a modern mall. Looking closer, we saw emergency personnel carrying stretchers to waiting ambulances, which, as soon as were filled, left the scene with sirens blazing. We heard the thump, thump, thump of numerous news helicopters circling overhead.
You’ve been presented with the opportunity to be a best-selling author, but can never write again, or write forever, but never have a bestseller. Which scenario sounds more tempting?
Best selling author
If you could live on a college campus and never leave, or live in a small town but be able to travel, which one would you choose?
Small town and travel
Okay, how about in an amusement park or in an airport?
Amusement Park
And how about Australia or Scotland?
Australia
Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?
Hootie & the Blowfish
Are there any good bands out there today that we’ll talk about in 50 years?
Dave Matthews Band
And what about your favorite comedy on TV (My favorite is still The Office)?
Last Man Standing
Is there anything you’re currently working on?
Yes. Research for a 4th novel un-named as of now.
Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?
Clive Cussler: As an unknown indie author from a small town, what steps would you recommend I take in order to get reviews and increase recognition?
Lightning round:
Ocean or mountains? Ocean
Yogurt or ice cream? Ice Cream
M&M’s or Skittles? M&M’s
Jimmy Fallon or Stephen Colbert? Stephen Colbert
Happy or sad ending to a novel? Happy
Beer or wine? Wine
Flying or driving? Driving
Hemingway or Twain? Twain
You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take two things with you, as well as two people. What and who are you bringing?
Food & water; My wife Cindi and grandson Tyler.
You’re able to sit down with any leader in world history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him/her over to your house or meet at their place of royalty?
I would like to sit down with Leonardo da Vinci to discuss all his scientific concepts that were so far ahead of his time. I would want to go to his place to view all his drawings/concepts.
You can wish for one thing and one thing only, not world peace and no more wishes. What’s it gonna be?
That my wife would regain good health.
K. Phillips is a (mostly) retired educator who is an avid reader. COMES THE AWAKENING was his first novel and introduced the series featuring Phil and Cyndi Kent along with retired special forces agent Bill Lander. Phillips’ second book in the Kents/Lander series was ECHOES OF SKELETONS PAST. He has now completed the third in the series: THE SURVIVAL INITIATIVE. Although he implies no comparison to them, he points to Cussler, Baldacci, Brown, and Grisham as some who have inspired him to write. He lives with his wife in Southeast Tennessee and welcomes your comments here, C. K. Phillips Email.
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Meet The Author, Jan Maher
Enjoy getting to know, Jan Maher:
Thank you for joining me today. Tell us in three words how you would best describe your writing.
The extraordinary ordinary.
Your book, Earth As It Is, was released in January of 2017. Share a passage that you’d like for us to enjoy.
While Anne was asking Mrs. Hesher the secret to making a hearty, lump-free sauce so she could surprise Charlie with biscuits and gravy for supper that night, Charlie was sitting at Anne’s dressing table, reminiscing about his mother’s dress and fox fur. He couldn’t know that Mrs. Hesher was dabbing a big of cologne behind Anne’s ears, counseling her with a wink and a twinkle in her eye to woo her husband with the scent. He couldn’t know she was sending Anne on her way home at that very moment.
You’ve been presented with the opportunity to be a best-selling author, but can never write again, or write forever, but never have a bestseller. Which scenario sounds more tempting?
Write forever, definitely.
If you could live on a college campus and never leave, or live in a small town but be able to travel, which one would you choose?
Small town. I’ve already chosen!
Okay, how about in an amusement park or in an airport?
I would go bonkers in either one. I’m an introvert and I need quiet and fresh air.
And how about Australia or Scotland?
Scotland.
Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?
You realize I’m 71, right? That said, Pearl Jam came out of Seattle, where I lived for decades, and their members did a lot of good in the community with their money, so I’ve always appreciated them for that. In our house, Weird Al was probably the one we most agreed on across the generations. I remember liking some of Rage Against the Machine.
Are there any good bands out there today that we’ll talk about in 50 years?
I don’t know enough of the contemporary music scene to answer that, but I bet we’ll still be talking about the Beatles in another 50 years.
And what about your favorite comedy on TV (My favorite is still The Office)?
Colbert.
Is there anything you’re currently working on?
A sequel to my first two novels, and a collection of short stories.
Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?
Toni Morrison. I would ask her what question she would most like to be asked.
Lightning round:
Ocean or mountains? Ocean
Yogurt or ice cream? Ice cream
M&M’s or Skittles? No
Jimmy Fallon or Stephen Colbert? Colbert
Happy or sad ending to a novel? Happyish
Beer or wine? Wine
Flying or driving? Train
Hemingway or Twain? Twain
You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take two things with you, as well as two people. What and who are you bringing?
My spouse and my nephew (who is studying wilderness survival); a blank journal and a good knife.
You’re able to sit down with any leader in world history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him/her over to your house or meet at their place of royalty?
Vaclav Havel, my house, to talk about courage and creativity in times of repression and how he managed to become the world’s first playwright president.
You can wish for one thing and one thing only, not world peace and no more wishes. What’s it gonna be?
Planetary health.
Jan Maher’s novel Earth As It Is is published by Indiana University Break Away Books. Other writing credits include a novel, Heaven, Indiana; plays Ismene & Intruders, and Most Dangerous Women: Bringing History to Life through Readers’ Theater. She holds a PhD from The Union Institute and University in Interdisciplinary Studies and is a senior scholar at the Institute for Ethics in Public Life, State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Her website address is http://www.janmaher.com. She is on Twitter and Facebook as well.
Jackson Paul Baer 