Two Book Reviews

Hail to the Chef by Julie Hyzy - I like this White House Chef Series.  They're interesting for folks interested in the culinary arts and politics!  (Good recipes included in the back, too!)  This story included bomb scares, electrocution, and Christmas preparations at the White House.  Just easy, enjoyable reading!

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold - This haunting and tragic story's subject matter is not for the sensitive or faint-of-heart,  but the story-telling is something  special!  This author is really wonderful. I'm compelled to read her other books,  although I do balk a little at the harsh  subject matter.  This is the book that the recent movie was based upon.  It is told  from the perspective of a 14 year old girl  who was raped and murdered and who now watches the fall out of this tragedy  from "her heaven".  Beautifully told.  Painfully honest.  I recommend it highly if you truly appreciate good story telling, but  NOT if the subject matter might be  too hard for you.  I did cry - but more over the sweetness of the overcoming aspects.  It is a hopeful book - even though it's not all happy stuff.  Now that I've read the book, I feel prepared to watch the movie.  I enjoy the compare and contrast of reading and then watching.
June 5, 2012