The Borgia Betrayal: A Poisoner Mystery Novel
by Sara Poole
Wonder Woman in Renaissance finery (6/12/2011)
Francesca is supposed to be a young woman of the 15th century but her story reads like 21st century manga...Her portrayal (and it IS written in 1st person) is too modern, too over the top to be believable. As an adventure/romance story it might work but for anyone expecting a serious, historically stimulating novel with the Borgias as main characters, look elsewhere. Perhaps too much was attempted here...history/religion/free thinking/SEX/romance /thriller. Just did not work for me.
Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal
by Conor Grennan
more info please (11/30/2010)
Another in the line of "self-discovery" storis and commitment to doing what is right no matter the cost.
The story of the 18 orphans and the 7 lost children is the thread that ties adventures together. Although an absorbing journey, I need more background info, i.e. the civil war in Nepal,child trafficking and how the NGN functions within the precarious conditions(governmental /economic) in Nepal.
The writing is very engaging but seems to be more like diary entries with extremely detailed conversations. I wanted to hear, though, backstories on Conor and& Farid.
I liked this book and wanted to give it a higher rating than I will. My main criticism is that I needed more history to ground the amazing work that proves one person CAN make a difference.
Losing My Cool: How a Father's Love and 15,000 Books Beat Hip-hop Culture
by Thomas Chatterton Williams
a young man's look at hip hop (4/5/2010)
Williams examines the seductiveness and potential dangers of the hip hop lifestyle as it applied to him as a young man growing up in Plainfield,N.J. Ultimately finding his "place" through the study of Hegel, Heidegger and his father's unending belief in study & learning, Williams is able to love the music but ignore the philosophy and find his way as a young African -American philosopher and first time author.
The Weight of a Mustard Seed: The Intimate Story of an Iraqi General and His Family During Thirty Years of Tyranny
by Wendell Steavenson
Frustrating (2/10/2009)
This book could have been so much more, if only to put a human face on our "enemies". It does give the reader a sense of how Saddam was able to make Iraq into his personal fiefdom; it did not convey to me how Gen. Sachet's turnaround "moral journey " evolved. The chronological sequence of events, told through different interviews (family, military peers) becomes very confusing. Ms Steavenson's subject remains an enigma. I would not recommend this book.
It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time: My Adventures in Life and Food
by Moira Hodgson
echoes of Ruth Reichl (7/6/2008)
What a life ! I love reading about food and the associated memories Ms.Hodgson shares her unusual early years, growing up all over the world, while telling stories of family, friends and travel AND includes recipes. She has a breezy, casual style that makes this book an easy read.