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    • Archive for October 19th, 2008

    Sunday, October 19th, 2008

    Tomato Girl - Book Review

    Jars line my cellar shelves. Some are filled with fists of yellow-veined tomatoes. Others hold small onions and chopped leeks, white pearls floating in an opaque sea. Sometimes the light falls on a jar of boiled quail or the slick, dark meat of a rabbit. There are unexpected moments when I see the slit of an infant’s mouth, or the curl of a tiny fist behind the glass, and I run up the steps, back into the open light of sky. I gasp for air and tell myself the past is a distant thing, no longer able to reach me or hurt me. And yet, at times, it seems the past will always send its long thin fingers toward me, reminding me of all I want to forget. -From Tomato Girl, prologue-

    Jayne Pupek’s debut novel, Tomato Girl, is not a story for the faint of heart…nor is it one which the reader will likely soon forget.

    Set in the South, the book is narrated from the innocent point of view of eleven year old Ellie Sanders who is forced to grow up far too early. Ellie has learned to depend upon her father Rupert to guide her through the confusing maze of her mother’s mental illness. But when Ellie’s mother has an accident and Rupert introduces Tess (a girl who delivers tomatoes to the general store where Rupert works) to “help out” at home … everything changes.

    Through Ellie’s eyes the reader meets the memorable characters who people the novel: Mary Roberts (Ellie’s precocious and practical best friend), Clara and Jericho (the black couple with love to spare), Sheriff Rhodes,  Miss Wilder (Ella’s lesbian teacher who tries to help), the frightening Mason Reed, young Tess (who threatens the security of Ellie’s family), Rupert (who flounders in his ability to provide emotionally to Ellie), Julia (Ellie’s very ill mother), and Baby Tom. Through Ellie the reader experiences the pain of loss, and the terror of living with a mentally ill parent.

    This is a tough book to read. It is raw and far too real. But it is also beautifully written. Pupek has captured Ellie’s character perfectly - a young girl on the cusp of becoming a woman, but who is still wrapped in the innocence of childhood. Pupek never veers from Ellie’s point of view, skillfully revealing the workings of adult motivation through the eyes of a child.

    There will be readers who will find this book too disturbing to read. Some scenes are graphic, disheartening, and completely unforgettable. Tomato Girl is a novel which will not go away once the final page has been turned. Pupek has created a character who like Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird and Ruth Ann in Bastard Out of Carolina will tug on the reader’s heart and demand to be heard.

    Recommended.

    Sunday, October 19th, 2008

    The Brass Verdict - Book Review

    Everybody lies. Cops lie. Lawyers lie. Clients lie. Even jurors lie. There is a school of belief in criminal law that every trial is won or lost in the choosing of the jury. I’ve never been ready to go all the way to that level but I do know that there is probably no phase in a murder trial more important than the selection of the twelve citizens who will decide your client’s fate. -From The Brass Verdict, page 239-

    Defense attorney Mickey Haller unexpectedly gets thrust back into the legal arena (after a year recovering from prescription drug addiction) when his colleague Jerry Vincent is found murdered in a parking garage. Vincent’s entire caseload - including accused double murderer Walter Elliot (a famous movie studio executive) - is transferred to Haller in Vincent’s will. Haller eagerly steps into Vincent’s shoes, but quickly discovers that nothing is as it seems…and Vincent’s killer may be one of his own clients. Detective Harry Bosch is the lead investigator on the case and is himself somewhat of an enigma. Before the novel comes to a close, both Bosch and Haller will need to cooperate from both sides of the law in order to catch the killer.

    Michael Connelly’s novel is fast-paced and gripping, with twist and turns that will keep the reader guessing until the end. This book is a continuation of Connelly’s previous novels (which I have yet to read). But it is not necessary to have read Connelly’s work beforehand in order to enjoy The Brass Verdict.

    Connelly has a firm grasp of the legal system and creates memorable (and believeable) characters who are not always predictable. His dialogue is tight and compelling.

    For readers who love suspenseful legal thrillers, The Brass Verdict is one they will enjoy. This was my first Connelly novel, but I would not hesitate to pick up another of his books.  The Brass Verdict was released October 14th through Little, Brown and Company. Connelly’s previous novels include The Lincoln Lawyer, Chasing the Dime, Void Moon, Blood Work, and The Poet. For more information about the author, visit his website.

    Recommended.

    Sunday, October 19th, 2008

    Read-A-Thon (October): Wrap Up, Fundraising, and Book Giveaway

    The Read-A-Thon wrapped up this morning at 5:00AM and I was sound asleep! I went to bed around 1:30AM (during hour 21) after participating for 18.5 hours (my down time was 1.75 hours and was mostly eating, showering and about a half hour of watching television). My informal goals were to read 500 pages (I surpassed this) and participate for 20 hours. This event - as always - ran smoothly with Dewey at the helm supported by her fabulous helpers:

    Veena went around reminding people who signed up that the read-a-thon was this weekend.

    Nymeth, a co-host. She was in charge of posts the last six hours of the event. She also helped Veena remind everyone about when the read-a-thon would happen.

    Hannah, a co-host, and on duty the second six hours and the last six hours. Those last six hours were the middle of the night for her! Wow, that’s dedication!  She moderated comments when Dewey was napping. She also took on the daunting task of keeping track of all the prizes and prize donors. And kept track of who won which prizes, as well as matching winners up with donors.

    Trish, another co-host, and on duty during the middle twelve hours. She also kept track of all the cheerleaders, their mini-challenges and their prizes for their mini-challenges.

    Aerin created the site where feeds to all participants can be found, as well as lists of Readers and Cheerleaders and other pertinent information.

    The cheerleaders were also fantastic. Their role, making the rounds to encourage the readers, is so important. THANK YOU!

    Dewey has asked that we answer a few questions:

    1. Which hour was most daunting for you? Definitely hours 19 and 20 because I was getting tired and my brain was struggling. I also had a bit of a brain muddle during hour 7…but I took a walk outside and that perked me up.

    2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? I read Testimony by Anita Shreve which held my interest; and I also read Tomato Girl, by Jayne Pupek…another fast paced book. I had collections of short stories to read, but never actually got to them.

    3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? None at all. It was GREAT!

    4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? I liked how everything came out of one central blog even when another person (other than Dewey) was hosting. It made it easy to get updates on each hour.

    5. How many books did you read? I finished 2

    6. What were the names of the books you read? Testimony by Anita Shreve AND Tomato Girl, by Jayne Pupek

    7. Which book did you enjoy most? They were both good - but I’d give the edge to Testimony

    8. Which did you enjoy least? *laughs* I guess that would be Tomato Girl…but not because it isn’t a good book (it is!), but because it is a DARK book.

    9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? N/A

    10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? Oh, I’m sure I’ll do it again! I like being a reader.

    ******************************

    Final Stats (or see it in a Google spreadsheet)

    **********************************
    AND last, but by no means least, the 24 Hour Read-A-Thon was a CHARITY EVENT. My charity was Triple Creek Ranch. Thank You to those who sponsored me:

    Together we raised $235 to help the students and horses of Triple Creek!!

    Read my posts about:

    I also offered a book giveaway as part of my fundraising efforts. My husband drew a name this morning and the winner of a hardcover copy of The Emperor’s Children, by Claire Messud is:

    LAURA from Musings

    Congratulations, Laura! I’ll be mailing your book this week.

    *****************************

    THANK YOU to all who made this such a successful event!

    Sunday, October 19th, 2008

    Read-A-Thon: Hour 20

    The Readers of the hour this hour are:

    I visited them both and left comments to cheer them on … I’m not sure how many people are still up and reading at this hour!

    And I’m throwing in the towel. I finished my second book this hour -Tomato Girl, by Jayne Pupek. I’ll have to sleep on this one before I write a review. The writing was really good, the story is really dark…but ends with a glimmer of brightness. I met my goal to read at least 500 pages…and I stayed up for 20 hours and participated longer than in June - a total of 18.5 hours after deducting my “down” town. I will write a wrap up tomorrow after I have had a good 8 hours sleep!

    Thank you to ALL the cheerleaders - especially Softdrink from Fizzy Thoughts who loyally hung with me and left comment after comment!

    Update since my last post (or see it in a Google spreadsheet)

    **********************************
    The 24 Hour Read-A-Thon is also a CHARITY EVENT … and it is NOT TOO LATE to sponsor me and help support Triple Creek Ranch Inc!! You can also enter to WIN A FREE BOOK!

    Read my posts about:

    Sunday, October 19th, 2008

    Read-A-Thon: Hour 19

    I am fading fast…there is a mini-challenge this hour, but I’m passing on it. I’ve reached my goal of reading 500 pages. I’d like to stay up for 20 hours, so I need to hang in there just a little longer.

    Update since my last post (or see it in a Google spreadsheet)

    **********************************
    The 24 Hour Read-A-Thon is also a CHARITY EVENT … and it is NOT TOO LATE to sponsor me and help support Triple Creek Ranch Inc!! You can also enter to WIN A FREE BOOK!

    Read my posts about: