I didn’t set out to write an article on just one author this month, but here it is.

Until recently, I had not read a lot of Maggie O’Farrell’s writings. I previously reviewed “Hamnet” here. It was not a very favorable review. To me it seemed contrived, as though she were trying to create this big surprise where there really wasn’t one. However, I’m not one to judge a book by its cover, or to judge an author by one book. So, I gave “The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox” a try.

I report it was an engrossing book with a great ending that leaves the reader asking what just happened. If you enjoy a novel with a gothic edge to it, you will enjoy this. With that happy reading experience under my belt, I thought I would read O’Farrell’s latest historical fiction, or, as some now refer to them, nonfiction novel (oxymoron, much?), “The Marriage Portrait” next.
Telling what could have, maybe, possibly been the story of Lucrezia de’ Medici, O’Farrell does pull off a plausible - though probably not historically accurate - ending in this book. But who really knows for sure?  What is known about Lucrezia de’ Medici of Florence is that in 1559, at the age of 13, she became the Duchess of Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio upon her marriage to Alfonso d’ Este II. In 1561 she was dead.  Her official cause of death was recorded as tuberculosis, but shortly after her death, rumors circulated that her husband had killed her because she had not produced an heir. It should be noted that Alfonso II had two subsequent wives with neither marriage resulting in an heir, so ...

There is no proof that Lucrezia was murdered (and does she even die in O’Farrell’s telling of her story? you have to read it to know). However, there are letters to Alfonso II from a spy he had placed in the de’ Medici court detailing the actual murders of Lucrezia’s sister and cousin/sister-in-law who were reported to have died accidentally. There is also no known marriage portrait of Lucrezia de’ Medici D’ Este, but in 1842 poet Robert Browning published a dramatic monologue entitled “My Last Duchess,” in which the speaker is presumably the Duke Alfonso II inviting a guest to view a curtained painting of his late wife. He describes to this visitor the cheerful nature of his wife, which displeased him because “’twas not her husband’s presence only,” that made her happy. He goes on to say that at his command her smiles were stopped, so that now with her portrait hidden behind a curtain she only smiles for him. CREEPY!

Although not an official marriage portrait, there is a painting of Lucrezia de’ Medici, which was commissioned by her parents after her marriage, located in the Palatine Gallery in Florence (mere blocks from Browning’s residence,) with lesser versions of this painting in the Uffizi Gallery, as well as a version of it in the North Carolina Museum of Art. While I am not an art critic, photographs of the Palatine portrait suggest that it is stunning and seeing it has been added to my bucket list.  As a book reviewer, I say you should definitely read “The Marriage Portrait.”
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Happy reading!

​Darynda Jones’ third and final book in her Sunshine Vicram series, “A Hard Day for a Hangover” finally came out in December. It was worth the wait, although not her most engrossing novel. As you might expect with a third book, there were several references to the first two books for the reader who is new to the mayhem that can occur in tiny Del Sol, New Mexico. The entire series takes place over six months in the life of Del Sol’s new sheriff, Sunshine Vicram, as she tries to keep the town, and her own amateur-sleuth, 15-year-old daughter, safe. The crime that is the catalyst for this book is darker than those in the previous books, but in the end, everything is tied up - nice and neat.
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I had not read anything by Charles Martin since his 2006 novel, “When Crickets Cry,” and I didn’t realize that he has authored 18 books, including “The Mountain Between Us,” which was adapted into a movie starring Idris Elba and Kate Winslett in 2017. His 2015 novel, “Water From My Heart,” was a recent book club book, so I was reintroduced to his writing. It’s the fast-paced story of Will, who has been on his own since the age of 16. At the age of 40, Will has become successful and cold-hearted - a self-described bad man. When tragedy strikes the few people he holds dear, he blames himself, and sets out to do what he can to rectify the situation. Along the way, he confronts his past, and finds forgiveness and redemption.

Many years ago, a college classmate came in one day with a new hairstyle, explaining that when she told the stylist she wanted something different, she meant something different for her, not different from everyone else. I thought of that when every reader of  “The Boys from Biloxi” said that it was different. I wondered if they meant it was different for John Grisham or different in general. I had to read it to answer that question, and because the Mississippi Gulf Coast is our stomping ground.

It’s just different in general. The book is described as a legal thriller. (It is John Grisham, after all.) However, it is told in the third-person, so it feels like reading the script of an investigative TV show. There is no dialogue at all until chapter five, and then it’s just one exchange. By chapter seven there are a few more exchanges between characters, but only a few. Having said that, I enjoyed it. Like I said, I know the area.  We have a friend whose father was the FBI agent-in-charge for cleaning up the Dixie Mafia, so the subject was interesting.

Many years ago my sister had a best friend named Trina. Trina had a sister named Gwyn. Their father was an author. In 1954, Mac Hyman published “No Time for Sergeants,” a best-selling novel that was adapted into a popular Broadway play and a 1958 film starring Andy Griffith. The comedy was a major hit, and is considered largely responsible for launching the careers of Andy Griffith and Don Knotts. Griffith made his television debut in the 1955 television play of the book, which was broadcast as part of the United States Steel Hour on ABC, and went on to reprise the role on Broadway. The popular 1960’s TV series “Gomer Pyle, USMC” (a spin-off of Griffith’s “The Andy Griffith Show”) is thought to have been inspired by Griffith’s role in “Sergeants.” In other words, it was a big deal.

In 1996, Gwyn Hyman Rubio published her own book, “Icy Sparks.” Set in Appalachia, it’s the coming-of-age story of Icy Sparks. Orphaned and raised by loving grandparents in Kentucky’s coal country, Icy has to learn to deal with being different. In Icy’s own words, from her father she inherited the fear that resided in his coal-black eyes, and from that fear she gained wisdom. That fear placed books in her hands and led her to search for the answers. From her mama she grew to see the world through hope-filled eyes. Such a lovely book, which became a best-seller in 2001 when it was selected as part of Oprah Winfrey’s Book Club.

Happy Reading!

Happy New Year! I hope there were plenty of books under your tree, and plenty of time to read them.

I have previously shared my enjoyment of short stories. I am in awe of writers of short stories. I believe it is a special skill to really engage readers with a limited number of words. “Five Tuesdays in Winter” by Lily King is a great collection of short stories. Some are sweet, if a little melancholy; others are a little dark.

Speaking of dark, “The Cloisters” by Katy Hays is plenty dark. Immersed in medieval art, Tarot, and the ambience of New York City, “The Cloisters” presents several mysteries and a couple of surprises. Big surprises. It’s the sort of book that upon reaching the end, you might be inclined to reread it just so that you can put all the pieces together as you go. (Or is that just me?) It should definitely be added to your reading list heading into the new year.

Another must-read is “The Light We Carry” by Michelle Obama. In it she discusses how to find, cultivate, and share your light. Drawing from her own experiences as a mother, daughter, spouse, friend, and even as first lady, she provides a frank and honest dialogue with her readers on topics such as relationships, community, and self-doubt. She encourages her readers to work through fear, find strength in community, and to live boldly, because, as she says, “When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it.” Regardless of your political persuasion, this book is worth reading.

Another book worth reading was recommended to us by a friend in honor of our retirement. That’s right! My husband and I are of a certain age. So, our friend recommended “Younger Next Year: Live Strong, Fit, Sexy, and Smart-Until You’re 80” and Beyond by Chris Crowley and Henry (Harry) S. Lodge, MD (and in this second edition, Allan J. Hamilton, MD). This book is written for men of retirement age or even younger. (There is also a “Younger Next Year for Women” version. I’ll have to get that next). In these books, you’ll learn how to put off 70 percent of problems normally related to aging, and to eliminate 50 percent of serious illness and injury by following “Harry’s Rules.” This edition also explains how these “rules” for diet, exercise, and staying emotionally connected directly affect brain health, thanks to Dr. Hamilton. Chris’s humor and candor, and Harry’s uncomplicated scientific explanations will provide the motivation for you to train for the next third of your life and to have a ball while doing it. So, if you are of a certain age, or hope to be one day and want to get a jump on it, start your new year with this book.
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I hope you find a lot of books with which to start your new year, and to enjoy throughout the year.  Happiest 2023 to you, and happy reading.

I had some bad book-news. I was anxiously awaiting the June 14 release of the third and final book in Darynda Jones’ Sunshine Vicram series, “Hard Day for a Hangover.” Unfortunately, release has been pushed back to December. In the meantime, I’m still enjoying summer reading. I hope you are, too.

“In My Dreams I Hold a Knife” by Ashley Winstead has been on my to-be-read list for a while. It was worth the wait! If you enjoy a thriller, definitely look for this book. It will make you consider how well we really know our friends - and ourselves.

Another book that I have had my eye on is Fredrik Backman’s “Anxious People.” His dedication reads, “To the voices in my head …, and to my wife who lives with us.” That is so appropriate, because in this book Backman, with his usual knack for humor and poignancy, has brought to life the voices in all our heads and put them all in one place. This book will make you feel seen in a not entirely comfortable way. It will remind you that most of us are doing the best we can, and that it’s hard to dislike someone when you know their story.

Who could resist a book that begins with, “These days Devon only bought three things from the shops: books, booze, and Sensitive Care skin cream.” That’s the first line of “The Book Eaters,” by Sunyi Dean. It turns out that this book is weird. Not intriguing, nor unusual, nor even unique. Just weird. I enjoy fantasy fiction, but in my opinion, fantasy fiction has to feel both realistic - so that you can connect with the characters - and fantastic - so that you want to be a part of the story. Who wouldn’t want to join elves and dwarves and hobbits to save the world from evil? I would! Who doesn’t hope that maybe Geralt of Rivia is out there kicking butt and taking names? I do! Who is 100 percent sure that there aren’t vampires masquerading as high school students in the Pacific Northwest? I don’t know, could be! That’s why the writings of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, and even the story of Beowulf - the very first fantasy fiction - remain popular. But this story of beings who gather knowledge by eating books, and sample human experiences by eating minds (that’s where it lost me) is just weird. But I stuck with it and in the end the theme of the book, that “it’s not a question of worth, or cost,” that we do the best we can for the people we love because that’s all that anyone can do, wasn’t weird at all.    

From one extreme to the other, “Secret Daughter” by Shilpi Somaya Gowda leans toward being trope-y: distinct cultures (and the related strife), marital strife, parent/child strife, reconciliation, losing/regaining oneself. Overall, though, the story is very good. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the more pleasant aspects of life in India. And the food! I love Indian food, and my mouth watered while reading this book. I ended up having read a good book and having a nice lunch date (you can never go wrong with murgh makhani with Earl Carstens). Not bad!
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Continue to enjoy these beautiful days and your summer reading!

​by Nancy Carstens

April showers bring May flowers and book recommendations - because what could be better than curling up with a good book on a rainy day? I have quite a variety to share, and not nearly enough space!
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I finally read “The Maidens” by Alex Michaelides. It doesn’t have the edge-of-the-seat, twisted quality of his first novel, “The Silent Patient.” Rather than being caught unaware as in “The Silent Patient,” readers feel that they are always a couple of steps ahead of the protagonist, Marianna, and wishing she would get out of her own way so that she can see obvious red herrings for what they are. More than the murders that take place, Marianna’s inability (or unwillingness) to recognize what is so obvious to everyone else is the underlying story of this novel. The big surprise is that this story takes place concurrently with “The Silent Patient.” I can’t wait to know how that plays out in the next book - because there will surely be a next book.

I should probably devote an entire column to “The School for Good Mothers.” Merrile Stroud and I have a long-standing joke proclaiming ourselves as cool, or awesome, or good mothers. So, when we saw this title, we pounced on it. This is not a lighthearted book. It is a commentary on motherhood in our society. It is deep. We have all heard horror stories of how child protective services will only intervene if a child is in imminent danger, and sometimes not intervene at all. Imagine that, due to all the bad-press it has received, CPS made a 180-degree change and became hyper-vigilant about protecting children? Are you a working mother who has ever struggled to balance those responsibilities? Has your child ever broken a bone or needed stitches? Have you ever allowed your child to eat bread and ketchup for dinner, rather than have a meltdown over a healthy meal? Have you ever felt like a drama-mama because you rushed to the doctor’s office only to be told that your child’s stomach pain is nothing more than constipation, or felt guilty because you waited to go to the doctor’s office only to be told that your child’s stomach pain is appendicitis? Have you ever taken your eyes off of your child to check your phone, or dinner, or the laundry? Have you ever said or done something that your child just didn’t like? If you can relate to any of these situations, in Jessamine Chan’s novel, you would probably lose custody of your child, and be sentenced to a year at The School for Good Mothers, where, no matter how hard you work, you could never attain the level of mastery necessary to be reunited with your child. I have to admit that I found myself embarrassingly empathetic toward Frida - a mother who had “a very bad day.”

I read Ruta Sepetys’ new book, “I Must Betray You,” in one day!  I remember the end of Nicolae Ceausescu’s Communist regime in Romania in 1989. The historical part of this historical fiction made me feel a little old, but I could not put down this book. You won’t either. Readers of historical fiction should look for Sepetys’ other books, “Salt to the Sea,” “Between Shades of Gray,” and “Fountains of Silence.”  She is absolutely my favorite writer of historical fiction.

In “The Maid,” by Nita Prose, Molly is described by many as a special girl - and she is. She’s extremely trusting. Some want to take advantage of that; others want to protect her. It’s difficult for her to know the difference! Before long, she’s embroiled in a murder investigation! But is she trusting the right friends?  Whodunnit fans will enjoy this book. Readers who enjoyed 2017’s “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman will also enjoy it - although it’s not nearly as heavy as “Eleanor Oliphant.” And if you didn’t read that but enjoyed the 2009 Sandra Bullock-Bradley Cooper movie, “All About Steve,” I think you will enjoy it.
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Enjoy your April reading! ​

​by Nancy Carstens

It’s a new year! I am wishing you all the best, and a lot of great reading! If you would like to read more, or to broaden the scope of your reading this year, I would like to suggest joining, or starting, a book club.  Just like books, and people, book clubs come in all shapes and sizes, so there is one to fit everyone.

If you’re not sure where to start, there are virtual book clubs. Celebrities have started book clubs on social media. Jenna Bush Hagar has @readwithjenna on Instagram. There is also Reese Witherspoon’s @reesesbookclub. Everyone knows about @oprahsbookclub. It has been around for decades - long before there was social media. If you want something a little closer to home, check with local libraries and bookstores. They often have monthly books and related events - either in person or virtual.

If you can’t find an established book club that matches your taste and schedule, start one of your own.  There is no correct formula for a book club. It’s whatever you want it to be. For some, a book club is all about the books. For others, it’s more about the social aspect. For most, it’s probably a happy combination of the two.
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If you would like to start a book club, I’ll share how ours works, just for illustration. Again, there is no right or wrong way to structure your book club.

Membership
We have around 15 members - all women. We don’t have a leader, but we do have a secretary (for lack of a better word) who keeps us up-to-date on what we’re doing. This member volunteers to send out emails about our schedule, what we’re reading, etc. The position can last as long as the person wants to do it.

Meetings
We meet monthly in someone’s home. There are generally three hosts for each meeting. These hosts prepare a repast of some sort, which can be anything from heavy hors d’oeuvres to salads or soup/chili, or maybe even a Thanksgiving style meal. Sometimes the meal will reflect that month’s book - like a meal of Southeast Asian dishes. Each meeting centers around one book that was recommended for reading that month. There is no requirement to recommend a book, or to even have read the book to attend. Anyone who hasn’t read or hasn’t finished that month’s book knows that there will be spoilers as we discuss the book. Generally, the person who recommended the book will start the discussion, and then we go around the room. Each member who has finished the book rates it on a scale of 1-10. For the most part, we believe that anyone who writes a book deserves at least a four to a six. (Although, we banned one author’s books from our reading list because the majority thought they were just terrible.) Our discussions are often animated, but never argumentative. Occasionally, we have guests join our meetings. Author Emily Carpenter shared her debut novel, “Burying the Honeysuckle Girls,” with us, and the Mountain Mirror’s own Ferris Robinson joined us to discuss her book, “Making Arrangements.” Attorney Elisabeth Donnovin visited us to discuss environmental law and strip-mining in Appalachia in conjunction with John Grisham’s book “Gray Mountain.” We’ve had joint meetings with other book clubs. We have seen movie adaptations and attended author events as a group. We are definitely all about the books AND the socializing.

Material
We read a variety of books, both fiction and non-fiction. We have read a 93-page book based on a TED Talk, “The Terrorist’s Son: A Story of Choice” by Zak Ebrahim, as well as a 500-page novel set during the Inquisition, Rachel Kadish’s “The Weight of Ink.” When we read “The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek,” by Kim Michelle Richardson, and “Orphan Train” by Christina Kline Baker, we learned that we have members with family connections to the stories in each of those books.
Consider adding reading/sharing books in 2022. Our books for the next few months are “The Thursday Murder Club” by Richard Osman, “Call Your Daughter Home” by Deb Spera, and “The Lincoln Highway” by Amor Towles.

Happy New Year, Happy Reading, and Happy Bookclubbing in 2022! ​

​by Nancy Carstens

Books make great gifts.  If you need to give a Christmas gift, or are wondering which books to put on your own Christmas list, here are some suggestions:
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“The Silent Patient” is a psychological thriller par excellence! Anyone who enjoys a story with a lot of layers and a little madness should read this book by Alex Michaelides. I can’t wait to read his newest book, “The Maidens.”

“Local Woman Missing,” by Mary Kubica is another book perfect for readers who like to solve the mystery, but don’t mind having everything they thought they knew about the story turned upside down by the end.
If a reader on your Christmas list enjoys a mystery with an eerie quality, “The Thirteenth Tale” by Diane Setterfield is a good choice. A couple of reviews likened it to gothic classics “Jane Eyre,” “Wuthering Heights,” and “Rebecca.” That might have been hyperbole, but it is a masterfully written book that readers may want to reread to find the clues they missed during the first reading.

I have a huge crush on Dave Grohl. So it’s not surprising that I bought a copy of his new autobiography, “The Storyteller” for myself, and my daughter sent a copy for my birthday. If you have ever seen him give an interview, you understand the appropriateness of that title. Judging by the fact that he’s on the television every time I turn around - on everything from commercials to “The Morning Show” on Apple TV - it seems that everyone else may be catching on to my infatuation. If you have a Dave Grohl fan on your list, this book is a must. If you have a music fan on your list this book is a must. If you have someone who has never heard of Dave Grohl, Nirvana, or Foo Fighters but enjoys a well-written and entertaining autobiography, this book is a must.

I was captivated by the introduction, and was going to share an excerpt here. Then, I was moved by the book jacket and wanted to share portions from it. I feared that before I knew it, I would be sharing the entire book. I narrowed it to three sentences from the book jacket, ‘“The Storyteller’ is brimming with life, humor, and Dave’s clear-eyed perspective on fame. We know Dave Grohl as one of our most treasured musicians. Now, ‘The Storyteller’ introduces him as a gifted writer.”  I also think the cover art for this book is perfect. Even if I had never heard of Dave Grohl, and certainly couldn’t identify a picture of him, I think the quiet photo on the cover would have captured my attention and caused me to open the book.

At first glance neither the title nor the cover of “Cloud Cuckoo Land” appealed to me. However, on second glance, when I read it was by the author of “All The Light We Cannot See,” I was more than willing to give it a chance. “All The Light We Cannot See” is one of my favorite books in recent years. I was hooked by the summary on the book jacket, and on third glance, I could see what had been right in front of me. The image on the cover is a book. And what a book it is! “Cloud Cuckoo Land,” written in Anthony Doerr’s captivating style, is “a soaring story of children on the cusp of adulthood in worlds in peril, who find resilience, hope - and a book.”  The readers on your Christmas list will be happy to find this book under the tree.

If you have a reader who enjoys a compelling story, Amor Towles’ new book, “The Lincoln Highway,” is filled with Americana and diverse characters. A plan to drive from Nebraska to California to make a fresh start becomes a saga worthy of Homer. This book has joined Towles’ other books “A Gentleman in Moscow” and “The Rules of Civility” (previously reviewed here) as some of my favorites. It (or any of Towles’ books) would be a welcome gift.

Wishing you Happy Holidays and Happy Reading!

by Nancy Carstens

I’m still working on that To Be Read list. With 45 titles remaining on that list, I don’t have the time or the inclination to dawdle over books that don’t catch my interest. That being said, it is also difficult for me to give up on a book that has any redeeming quality at all. The problem with “Hamnet” by Maggie O’Farrell was more than that it was slow. Parts of it were contrived to the point that it not only didn’t interest me, it annoyed me. The book is based on the death of William Shakespeare’s 11-year-old son, Hamnet, in 1596.  The cause is unknown, but it is suspected that he died of the plague, and that, as well as the belief that he was the inspiration for the play “Hamlet,” is the premise of this book. Anyone planning to read this book would probably know at least that much before beginning the book. However, the author tried to keep the identity of “the father,” or in his younger days, “the Latin tutor,” (or any other possibly imaginable way to refer to him rather than by name) a mystery throughout the book - long past the point that it served the plot. On the other hand, the chapters about the rest of the family, particularly Hamnet’s mother, Agnes, were completely engrossing. In case you’re interested, and sorry if this is a spoiler, but no, there is not a big reveal at the end. “Hamnet’s father,” “her husband,” “the man on stage,” whatever else you want to call him - other than William Shakespeare - is never identified by name.

The next book on my TBR list was E.B. White’s “Stuart Little.” This treasure, originally published in 1948, was a childhood favorite, and rereading it was pure joy!  If you are not familiar with the adventures of the Little’s diminutive son, Stuart, you should be. The book jacket says it better than I ever could, “Stuart Little, small in size only, has the adventurousness, the great purpose, and the indomitable  spirit of a heroic figure, and his story, funny and tender and exciting by turns, will be read, re-read, and loved by young and old.”

“Clap When You Land,” by Elizabeth Acevedo, was next on my list. This story, told in verse, is about two young women, two sisters - one in New York, the other in the Dominican Republic. They learn of each other when their father dies in a plane crash on his way for his annual summer visit to the Dominican Republic. This is a story of loss, but also of gain. The title is a reminder to us all to celebrate the now.

I love a good book series! The more titles, the better! There are 12 Poldark books? Bring it! Harlan Coben has written 11 Myron Bolitar books? No problem! Does anyone even know how many Inspector Lynley books Elizabeth George has written? Unimportant! I’ve read them all! I like getting to really know characters and developing relationships with them. Okay, so you’re probably thinking that I sound like Kathy Bates’ character in the movie “Misery.” You’re not wrong, but I would like to point out that Elizabeth George killed off a beloved character and I did not break her kneecaps. I did raise my voice at a display of her next book in Barnes & Noble - but no one was injured. Anyway, all of that to say that I was delighted to learn that “A Bad Day for Sunshine” is the first book in a new series. Darynda Jones writes the way I like to believe that I would write if I were a writer - funny and riveting. (Although, I might not be quite as graphic with some of my scenes.) I immediately began the second book in the series, “A Good Day For Chardonnay,” because I just couldn’t wait to know what happened next with the new sheriff of Del Sol, N.M., Sunshine Vicram. (This is how I get distracted from my TBR list.)

I hope you are getting through your TBR list, and adding new titles all the time!

by Nancy Carstens