The Lost and Forgotten Languages of Shanghai: A Novel
by Ruiyan Xu
First Time Novel (10/13/2010)
For her first novel, it is well written, characters are mapped out and make sense, but for the most part, I think she could have done a little more with the style. It's readable, fine, but I was expecting a little more poetry. The story itself is very interesting, new and well thought out. Do read it, it is worth the time.
Still Life: Adventures in Taxidermy
by Melissa Milgrom
If you like the strange... (12/30/2009)
If you think the title is odd, wait until you meet the characters of this off-hand, fascinating read. Stuffed animal lovers, lovers of the creepy, odd and whatever is opposite of the chick-book, read this, really. It will take you into another world you really never planned on going to, but will glad once you've arrived.
The Crossing Places: A Ruth Galloway Mystery
by Elly Griffiths
Chills and Thrills (11/13/2009)
I love archeology which drew me to this book in the first place. And it didn't disappoint, but then, there is the mystery, and the fact that the archeologist is the key in helping solving the mystery pulls me in even further. The discovery of bones, the sudden disappearance of a child and the discovery of a murdered pet keeps me guessing and wanting more.
Murderers in Mausoleums: Riding the Back Roads of Empire Between Moscow and Beijing
by Jeffrey Tayler
Murderer in Ancient Lands (9/22/2008)
As a student of Anthropology, I became engrossed in this book with it's "far-a-way" places that take me back, not just to my studying days, but to that dream land I used to fantasize about as a student, to those people who lived there and what life must have been like so long ago. Another mystery, will we ever know what really happened? And what happens in that land now, with all of the technology and information, truth is always hidden behind speculation, here-say and people's obscured witness. A good read, a good mystery, a good life lesson.
Can't Remember What I Forgot: The Good News from the Front Lines of Memory Research
by Sue Halpern
What was that again? (5/14/2008)
I feel so glad to find out that I am not alone. Memory has always been a fascination, and just because it is an interesting subject, but rather because I suffer from it- suffer from not remembering where my keys are, suffering from not remembering appointments I wrote down in my planner because I forgot to look at the planner, suffering from the fear of "If my memory is this bad now, what's it going to be like when I get older?" I'll have to make a strong memory to not forget about this book. But in the meantime, while I can think of it, it's nice to know that I am not alone in this forgetful state.
The Palace of Illusions
by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Magic and Mystery in the Palace of Illusions (3/14/2008)
The Palace of Illusions is full of magic and imagery as only Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni can create. Her style of magical realism rivals those of the Latin American writers, establishing a new genre of Indian mysticism. The novel is a retelling of an ancient Indian text, but has all of the elements of a modern tale, sure to become a classic in its own right.
