COYER Blackout Winter Storm - let the reading and reviewing commence!

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Winter looks like it is arriving shortly in Minnesota.  They are forecasting snow!  So, it looks like a great time for me to get caught up on my reading.

This winter I will be doing the COYER Blackout Winter Storm challenge.  To do this, I will need to read books that cost me or would cost me less than $1.  Luckily, I can use the massive backlog of ARCs I have on my Kindle Paperwhite to meet the challenge.  And, for every 10 books over 100 pages, I get to read a book I want.  Sigh, I so want to read my ARCs!  This will not be a difficult challenge for me!

I have tons of reading to get underway, starting December 17, and it looks like I might be buying a book for a group member.  I can hardly wait to get started.

Let the reviews begin!  Oh, but I have to wait a month.  Wow - that might be the toughest part!

Wish me luck!

For Time and All Eternities by Mette Ivie Harrison

I was given an advance reader copy by Edelweiss/Above the Treeline. I can only hope they wanted opinions well in advance of the 1/2017 publication date so they would have plenty of time to edit the final copy. I am not trying to be mean. Let me just explain my experience. The ARC I was given was in kindle format and did not have the cover or any information about the author, etc. My first thought was this was a first time author with limited experience who could use more editing direction. Then I double checked the website where I obtained the ARC and discovered this was an experienced author. Not only that, this is the third book in a series. I actually thought, "maybe there was a mistake and they sent me the wrong book". But, no, it was the right one. The first chapters of the book are conversations between mother and son, and wife and husband regarding the evils of the stance taken by the Mormon leaders regarding LGBT members. This is basically a sermon by the author told in conversation format that is stiff, uncomfortable and very boring. Throw in discussion of the history of polygamy in the Mormon church, and you have quite the rousing first couple of chapters! ( I am not saying these issues are unimportant, by the way...) When I went back to double check they had sent me the correct file, I noted why I had requested it in the first place. This is a mystery. To me, the mystery is simple - how will the author get anyone to read to the murder part if the book begins in such a boring and tedious manner? As a librarian, I read a lot of books, but cannot give an author this much time to create a story. Mystery readers will not be as patient. I do not recommend this title unless the beginning is fixed prior to publication.

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey 5 Star great for book clubs

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

We selected Snow Child for our November 2016 book club read. It was unanimously well-liked by the club members. The books is very well-written and the language describes a raw, but breathtaking Alaska of the 1920's. It is easy to see why this book was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. It is a stunning book.

As the description of the book indicates, the Snow Child is based on an old fable of a lonely old couple who build a snow girl who comes alive. In the Snow Child, Mabel and Jack, a couple in their fifties, have moved to Alaska. The loss of their only child has left them feeling as outsiders in their families and they determine a change of location could help them start a fresh life. They move to Alaska with the idea they will work side by side to clear land and farm. But, the life is harder than they expected, and despite their agreement to work as a team, Jack takes on all of the farm work and leaves Mabel alone most days to just care for their home. He is doing back-breaking work, and she is left bored and unable to contribute. The two are growing further and further apart.

One day in a light mood, the couple decide to build a snowman. But, as they build it, they turn it into the shape of a little girl. They put on mittens, a scarf, blue eyes and straw for hair. The next day they find the snow girl smashed and her mittens and scarf missing. That is when they begin to spot the little girl running through the woods and snow. This is when Faina (fah eena) comes into their life.

The story then is their life in Alaska, how Faina changes things, and the puzzle of who or what Faina is. Jack has discovered information about her background, but this does not explain the true snow child of Faina, and the reader is left, as are Jack and Mabel, questioning the reality and the mythology of the child.

To me the book reads like a Greek Tragedy. Throughout the book there is the joy of friendship and family, as well as the struggle to make a life in the Alaska wild. But, from the very beginning there is a sense that Faina's story will not end well. Despite Jack's convincing argument that Faina is simply a real little girl with a tragic background which has left her unwilling to be tied down, Mabel cannot help seeing the parallels to the fable. Throughout the story we see an unvarnished tale of the deaths required of beautiful creatures in order for Jack and Mabel, along with their friends George, Esther and Garrett, to survive. But, can Faina survive living the normal life of a wife and mother? What will this do to her free spirit?

A very engaging story that leaves much to the imagination of the reader while seemingly heading down a predetermined path. But, is it?

Highly recommended for book clubs. This one leaves a lot to be discussed.



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Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon 5 Stars - unique, complex and hard to explain

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shadow of the Wind is an unusual book. This is the kind of book which may cause the reader to question over and over - do I like this book? In turns I found it dark, disturbing, uplifting, frustrating, puzzling, concerning, etc. etc. But, in the final analysis, I found it to be so unique and atmospheric as to be a book I could not put down, and a book I know I will never forget.

How to explain it.... On the day 10 year-old Spaniard Daniel awakens to the horrible sense that he can no longer remember the face of his dead mother, his father takes him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. He tells him this is a secret he must not reveal to anyone else and this trip changes Daniel's life. Daniel is told he is to select a book within the stacks which is to become his private mission - this book will be the one he personally will protect. Daniel selects The Shadow of the Wind by Julian Carax.

Daniel falls in love with Shadow of the Wind and begins a quest to locate other books by Carax. But, he is stunned to find the several titles written by Carax are difficult to locate. Someone has been systematically buying or stealing all copies in order to burn them. And, there is a great mystery surrounding Julian Carax himself. Is he alive? Did he die in Paris? Was he murdered in Barcelona? What became of the woman he loved? Who wanted him dead?

Shadow of the Wind is a book of great atmosphere - almost Gothic in nature. Set to the greatest extent in Barcelona, we experience the underbelly of this city during a time of great upheaval - the Spanish revolution and World War II. There are many characters and each has their story and their secrets. Initially, Daniel's search is simply to learn more about the author and to locate more of his titles to read. But, soon his quest becomes an obsession and Daniel finds it is a dangerous game he is playing. With his father suffering from grief, Daniel finds himself turning to others for assistance and information. Some are honorable, some he can trust, yet others are playing their own game. I am not going to get into names and descriptions of characters here because there are just too many and the relationships are so complex.

The twists and turns, the lies, the violence, the physical danger, the mysteries, the plots, the subplots, all make The Shadow of the Wind a sometimes frustrating read, but it is always interesting. The language is so rich and the story so involved. On one or two occasions you will jump up in your chair and say "WTH?" or "OMG".

There are many sexual references, and a few sex scenes, but none are graphic. The treatment of women in the book is difficult to experience, but seems very true to the era, which is the 1940's and 1950's. The evil and violence can be jarring, but the story has a sub-theme regarding madness and revenge that requires these kinds of scenes.

As a reader, I often seek the author's objective in writing the story. Is there a message or a lesson? I don't know if there is one in Shadow of the Wind. This is more of an it is what it is type of book. The language, the characters, the atmosphere, the mysteries, the romances - these are what this book is all about. This is also the first book in the series and I guess I can't wait to get my hands on the next.

For any of you who tend to read the end of the book first, that would be a major mistake. The beauty in this title is in the unfolding of the story, the complexity of the characters, and in the shifts and surprises along the way. This is a very rich book that kept me fascinated throughout.

Highly recommended for patient readers who are able to appreciate the slow yet relentless unfolding of a complex story.

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Curious Minds by Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton - Fun new series 4 Stars

Curious Minds by Janet Evanovich
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an advance readers copy of Curious Minds in exchange for my honest review.

Janet Evanovich has a new new hit series started with Curious Minds. In Riley Moon and Emerson Knight she has created endearing characters with enough quirks to make you laugh, enough heart to make you care, and enough money to finance the great adventure.

Riley Moon, former Texan and daughter of a sheriff, has just completed her education with her law degree from Harvard and has now joined the wildly profitable mega-bank Blane-Grunwald. As the new rookie, she is given a less than desirable task - talk to and calm down billionaire investor Emerson Knight who is feeling uneasy about his investments - particularly his gold. Highly good-looking and eccentric Emerson Knight turns out to actually have good reason to worry - there is something going on with the gold supply in the United States. And, he aims to find out what is going on.

In her efforts to appease the billionaire, Riley finds herself caught up in the middle of the mystery herself. However, those interested in obtaining the gold for themselves are ruthless and this endeavor is both dangerous and exhilarating for Riley and Emerson. Luckily, the quirky, odd, yet sexy Emerson, seems to be continually coming up with new plans filled with expensive equipment and unusual contacts. Riley is pulled against her will into the adventure, but is just plucky enough to make him a great accomplice.

As the first story in the series, this one is very satisfying. The two main characters have just enough sass and over the top confidence to believe they can overcome the danger and beat out the bad guys. There is just a hint of sexual attraction that leads you to believe more will come of this during the series, and that is pretty fun. The red-headed, Texan Riley who is drawn into Emerson's plans over and over again against her will is just enough off the wall to make her fun and engaging. Emerson is a man with awkward social skills, unlimited funds, complete confidence in his ability to fix things, and amazing good looks. Riley is at first repelled by his strangeness, then objects to his directing of her life, but slowly starts to warm to his boyish charm, while he appears to be charmed by her almost from the beginning. As a Jane Austen buff, I was immediately reminded of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. This sounds like a very good mix of main characters and should provide plenty of fodder for future stories.

My only concern with this first story is that the ending and resolution of the situation felt a little rushed and kind of haphazard. Although, to be honest, this was not an easy situation to resolve, and could not involve a simple case of turning the bad guys over to the police.

Now, here is my long-term concern for the series. As a reader, I found Stephanie Plum in her series, although a funny and engaging character, to be a non-changing person doing the same type of thing over and over again and getting similar results. Thus, I was bored with that series early on. Obviously, millions of readers did not have the same concern, but I am hoping in this series the authors can give us more in the way of character development. Could we please see the main characters grow and develop? Could we see their relationship change and evolve? I would hate to see 25 books of Knight and Moon with Riley still living in her little apartment and following Emerson unwittingly through adventure after adventure with him continuing to sleep in the tent in his living room.

Otherwise, as a first book in a series, this one is so fun and definitely highly recommended.

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Death at the Day Lily Cafe - 3 Stars - Forgettable but author has potential

Death at the Day Lily Cafe by Wendy Sand Eckel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received an advance reader's copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Death at the Day Lily Cafe is a cozy mystery set in small town America. The main character is divorcee, Rosalie Hart. Rosalie has inherited her aunt's farm and has started a restaurant serving locally raised, organic produce and locally made pastries. Life is almost idyllic for Rosalie, her daughter Annie, staff at the cafe, including Glenn, Crystal and Custer, and Tyler, who works on the farm and is slowly working his way into Rosalie's heart.

However, this is a mystery series, so someone has murdered local flooring construction owner Carl James, or CJ Fiddler, and the Sheriff believes it was his wife, Lori. Doris, Lori's sister, is desperately looking for someone to help find the real killer because the Sheriff is sure he has his murderer. So, Doris and Lori turn to Rosalie who has previously helped solve a case in the area. Rosalie jumps into the fray, and the Sheriff is not too pleased.

The story is gentle, without much angst or violence and the characters are nice people who work hard and are looking out for each other. The story also has a touch of romance, and a lot of great sounding food from the cafe, with some recipes included at the end of the book. The murder is fairly quickly tied to greed, so we know it is unlikely anyone else is in danger. Rosalie carefully goes from one neighbor to the next questioning what they know about CJ, Lori and the possible motive for the crime. The Sheriff is not a nice person, but he also is working hard and his past is putting him in a vindictive mood.

Another reviewer used the word I would use to describe this story - forgettable. Despite the nice people and the good food and the mystery, the story just isn't that exciting, the dialogue is pretty mundane, and the resolution of the murder comes as a surprise, but without any great excitement or climax. This isn't a bad story. I gave it three stars, which means I liked it. But, I would not go out of my way to read the next or first books in the series. I think, though, this author has potential!


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Reclaiming History by Vincent Bugliosi - blast from the past - review from 2008 5*

Reclaiming History: The Assassination of John F. Kennedy by Vincent Bugliosi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

(Note:  I wrote this review in 2008.  This is one of my all-time favorite non-fiction books and I hate to have it forgotten.)

Wow! I finally finished this book! I am now adding it to my favorites list.

Vincent Bugliosi has written THE definitive book about the Kennedy assassination. Yes, it is well over 1500 pages (small margins, small font), but it is written in a very readable narrative style and I read it in chunks (over several months!)

First, if you do nothing else, you must read the first section "Four Days in November" just to get a feel for the minute by minute who was where, who did what, who said what, etc. This is so superbly written you will feel as if you were there yourself.

Then Bugliosi takes you piece by piece, step by step through each and every piece of evidence. In addition, you begin to understand Oswald, Ruby, members of the Warren Commission and their staff at a depth never before attempted.
Huge chunks of the book, which could be separate books in themselves, provide us with biographical information about Oswald and Ruby, and bring to life their families and friends.

Bugliosi spells out 53 (!) separate pieces of evidence which point to Oswald’s guilt (and to no one else’s!). And, believe me; he goes into great detail on the validity of each.

In "Book Two" every major conspiracy theory you can think of is dissected in great detail. Was it the mob, KGB, pro-Castro, anti-Castro, CIA, FBI, LBJ? Each is covered.

Did you see the movie JFK by Oliver Stone? Bugliosi totally rips it apart and explains the disservice Stone has done to our nation by pulling together a fantasy, and swearing it is truth and history.

Finally, what is the conclusion drawn by Bugliosi? "The purpose of this book has been twofold. One, to educate everyday Americans that Oswald killed Kennedy and acted alone, paying for his own bullets. And two, to expose, as never before, the conspiracy theorists and the abject worthlessness of all their allegations."

I am totally a believer. No other book I have read about the assassination and/or its aftermath has laid out such a compelling argument. No one else has notated every point, named names, quoted quotes, in such a way as to totally make their argument. This man spent 21 years on this book, completing almost all of the research himself. He has served his country well. Now, I, for one, can let JFK rest in peace.

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Dark Matter by Blake Crouch 5 Stars and a strong Highly Recommended

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of the greatest joys in reading comes when you read a book that is truly original and you know when you read it is a special book. This is the one. The book you will read and tell all your friends they have to read. This is the one they will be making into a movie in the next few months and everyone will be be clamoring to see. Luckily, this author is also the one writing the screenplay, so let's hope they can do some justice to the book with the movie. But, as a librarian, I can only say, the book is almost always better than the movie.

This is the kind of science fiction tale that can be read by anyone. It is action, adventure, romance, family, science, futuristic, improbable, everything wrapped up together. Maybe scifi readers have read a book like this, but I have not and I can just say - Wow!

Our lives are a series of choices we make - hundreds per day, thousands that truly make a difference in the direction our lives take. But, what if we had taken the path not chosen? A theory of multi-universes believes these alternate lives are being lived in another dimension. What if someone found a way to move within these multi-verses?

Jason Dessen physics professor and a man who could have been a great scientist is kidnapped. He wonders if he will ever see his wife and son again. He has good reason to question this - the life he was living has been taken by a Jason Dessen 2 who chose the path to become a great scientist and has found a way to move within these dimensions. He has dumped Jason 1 in his own world.

This story is too complex and too unusual to explain much more - it will only spoil it for you. But, the story is so fast-paced and full of surprises, you will find yourself questioning everything. When I read a book that causes me to think about identity, life choices, family, love, etc. it is a book I want to share with others. I loved Dark Matters and I can't recommend it highly enough. Very unusual and quite a ride.

I obtained a free advance readers copy with the understanding I would write an honest review.

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Valley of the Moon by Melanie Gideon 5 Stars Unique and Compelling

Valley of the Moon by Melanie Gideon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Valley of the Moon by Melanie Gideon grabbed me from the outset and I found myself unable to stop as it took me on a ride through the past, the present and the future. I had no expectations of this story, which was probably a good thing, as it was so unusual I don't know if any expectations would have been valid.

During the great California earthquake of 1906 a very strange phenomenon occurs which prevents the residents of Greengage farming community from leaving the area. A deadly fog surrounds them making it impossible for them to leave. They wait, patiently or impatiently, for someone to arrive to rescue them. Four months later a young woman named Lux appears through the fog with an almost unbelievable tale. Although only four months have passed at Greengage, Lux has arrived from the year 1975. And, despite Lux's ability to move through the fog unharmed, this is not true for the Greengage residents. They are still trapped and it is still 1906 for them.

Lux is an unwed mother of a five year old named Bennett or Benno as he is commonly known. Lux had a painful break with her father in her early teens and it has continued to get worse, particularly with her unplanned and unwed pregnancy. Benno is invited to visit her parents, however, and while he is gone, she decides to go camping. It is the night of the full moon when she is surrounded by a fog that leads her to Greengage.

At Greengage, Lux meets Joseph, the visionary who created the community, his wife, Martha, and many others. Joseph's ideas for the community stem from the teachings of his mother - he sees Greengage as an opportunity to give everyone equal opportunities, regardless of their sex, race, etc. Joseph is also a man who experienced problems with his father, but finds the work he is doing to be the antidote. He is fascinated with the future Lux describes, as well as disappointed that society has not moved forward with the issues dear to his hear - equality, the environment, etc. Lux finds much of what she has always been seeking at Greengage - being treated as an equal, being respected for what she contributes, the chance to engage in fulfilling work, etc.

Lux cannot stay, as she needs to get back to her son. However, Greengage compels her to seek it out every full moon. But, the fog is not there every full moon, and is present erratically. It turns out that every time the fog is present and Lux returns to Greengage, only one month has passed in their time, regardless of the number of months that have passed in her time. Thus months or even years may have gone by in Lux's San Francisco time, while only one month has passed in Greengage. This becomes a serious factor in the rest of the story. Lux must leave before another full moon passes at Greengage, or she has no idea how much time has gone by in San Francisco time.

Valley of the Moon is a compelling read with the time changes and the variations from one time to another. However, the true story is about the separation of family, the inability in our world for people to be treated as equals, the search for a better world and place where we can all belong. Lux is a woman beaten down by shame and inequality who finds a place where what she brings to the table is more important than the labels placed on her and her son. Greengage is a Shangri-La where the utopia is tinged with the inability to leave without dire consequences, and the people there feel this entrapment.

I fell in love with Lux, Joseph and Greengage and believe this is a story worth reading. Highly recommended.

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Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani - Coming of Age for a 30 something - not my cup of tea 3 stars

Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I try very hard not to make these kinds of judgements, but sometimes I honestly believe I am not the right audience for a book. I found this to be true of Very Valentine. I enjoyed it, but believe someone in a different situation might find themselves enjoying it more.

Valentine is a 33 year-old, Italian American shoe maker. The story centers around a few key aspects: Valentine's new relationship with chef and restaurant owner Roman, Angelini Shoes which is owned by Valentine's grandmother Teodora with Valentine as the key designer, and the very Italian American family surrounding them. Angelini Shoes, it turns out, is very deep in debt and is not really making enough money to call itself a profitable business. And, to top it off, Valentine's father is diagnosed with what he calls "prostrate" cancer.

Valentine is, therefore, struggling in several ways. She wants a romantic and loving relationship with Roman, but his business is taking up the majority of his time. In addition, Valentine's brother, Alfred is on her Gram to sell the building that houses Angelini Shoes in order to get herself out of debt and allow for a retirement, given she is 80 years old. Valentine is coming into her own as an artist and creator of shoes and is heartsick to think of the business going down without a fight. An opportunity arises for her to enter a competition to win the chance to display her shoes in the windows of Bergdorfs. This could be the making of both her and the shoe company, although it is a long shot.

Basically, this is a coming of age story for a late bloomer. Valentine has never had to take anything in her life too seriously, but now everything is hitting the fan at once. How important is the shoe business to her, and is she capable of putting her all into it? She loves Roman, but is she willing to give him her all, as well as demand from him what she needs? Can she get the support she needs from her family to finally break out of her role as "the funny one" and be considered a serious business woman? What about the health of her parents and grandmother - will she be capable of stepping into their shoes?

Although an enjoyable story with a lot of fun and funny sequences, I just found Valentine too immature for my tastes. She seemed to fly and back and forth between her concerns about developing as an artist and business woman and her sensitivity about being taken seriously. She continues to rely on her Gram while wanting to be independent. She wants to be special to Roman without having to allow him to be special to her. This story may appeal more to women in a similar age group to Valentine. For me, it was a case of it having just been too many years since I have needed to focus on these issues.

The story was fairly predictable as well. We could pretty much see each situation coming. But, the family was enjoyable, although somewhat stereotypical. All in all, not a bad read, but not one I would go out of my way to recommend.  I personally found it boring.



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My COYER Summer Vacation Starts NOW!!

I am going to try something new this summer!  There is a reading challenge called COYER Summer Vacation, and I am in!  The idea is to read and review as many of my e-reads as possible this summer, and maybe even win some prizes.

This sounds like a wonderful group of people involved in reading and reviewing and I can hardly wait to get started. In fact - I think I will link the review I just completed so I can start today.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion - sweet love story of odd ducks

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Australian geneticist Don Tillman has determined he needs a wife. But, Don has never been particularly comfortable with women, or men for that matter. He has difficulty making friends and is a little off when it comes to the niceties of society. He has very specific ways of doing things, and it is not easy for him to change. In fact, Don determines, it might be a good idea to lay out the things he does not want in a woman and put together a questionnaire.

The more Don thinks of this questionnaire, the more he likes the idea. It will very efficiently alert him to women that are not suitable, and some of the questions alone may discourage women who are inappropriate as a mate. With the help of his friends Gene and Claudia, Don begins the Wife Project. Through a misunderstanding, Don meets a highly unsuitable woman named Rosie who he believes was recommended to him as a potential wife by Gene.

But, unacceptability as a wife does not mean he and Rosie cannot get to know each other and become friends. Don learns Rosie is the product of her mother's one night stand the night she graduated from medical school. Her biological father was at the graduation party, but Rosie's mother never told her who he was. Rosie's mother has since died and Rosie desperately wishes to learn who her biological father is, because she was left to live with her father Phil and the two have never gotten along.

As a genetics professor, Don has access to DNA testing equipment. Although highly irregular (unethical) and a threat to his job, Don offers to assist Rosie. They set out to locate all the men in her mother's graduating class and check their DNA against Rosie's.

Since Don (cough...Sheldon Cooper) appears to be somewhere on the Asperger's spectrum, it can be painful, or even hilarious, as Don attempts to find a wife while also attempting to locate Rosie's father. Rosie is herself a bit odd, but not to the extent of Don. Although both indicate they are not looking for a relationship, it just wouldn't be a story without a feasibly happy ending.

I found it somewhat insightful to consider a man whom society would deem handicapped as a romantic lead. Told from Don's perspective, there are some points he makes that are laugh out loud funny. But, there are others that are very poignant. Don is very willing to face his weak points and to practice to overcome them, but he is also very capable of demonstrating the skills he has that the average person lacks. His ability to organize and learn vast quantities of data in a short amount of time is amazing. However, romance is not his strong suit.

Told by Rosie that with the right haircut and suit he would be the spitting image of Gregory Peck in To Kill a Mockingbird, Don does begin to take on the trappings of the suitor. His methods are unorthodox, but by the end of the book, you will be rooting for him just as I was. A lovely story to brighten up your life.

Note: I have no experience with Asperger's syndrome, so I cannot speak to the accuracy of any of the attribute's Don exhibits. However, to be fair, the author never claims Don has the syndrome, he just very broadly hints at it. I have read other's concerns that this story mocks those with the syndrome.  I just don't believe the author could come up with such a lovable character
as Don if he was doing so.







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Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman 5 Star coming of age story of a 63 year old woman.

Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Britt-Marie was here is a coming of age story. What makes it unusual is that Britt-Marie is 63 years old. But, still, this is a story of Britt-Marie's coming of age.

Kent, Britt-Marie's husband, has had a heart attack. Britt-Marie knows this because Kent's mistress has called to tell her. After playing the dutiful wife for 40 years, Britt-Marie decides it is time to start a new life.

Of course, a new life requires money, and Britt-Marie needs a job. The girl from the unemployment office makes the mistake of telling Britt-Marie she will call her when a job comes up that she feels will work for her. But, Britt-Marie is not the kind of person to wait. She wants to know when. When she has not received a call 5 minutes after the office opens the next morning, she calls to see what they have found for her. In desperation, she is offered a job that will only last a few months. It is as the head of a recreation center which needs a caretaker until it can be closed in a couple of months. Britt-Marie accepts and heads to Borg.

Everything has closed down in Born, except the recreation center, which is to be closed, the pizzeria, which is attached, the post-office, which is the pizzeria, and the car repair shop, which is also the pizzeria. In addition, the pizzeria is the local grocery store. Everyone in Borg seems down and out since the trucking company, the major employer, fired everyone. Even the rat at the recreation center seems lonely.

But, Britt-Marie has standards. There are certain things she does and has done them all her life. Britt-Marie follows the rules, cleans, straightens, and ensures she never appears to be a criminal to her neighbors. Borg has never seen the like of Britt-Marie. But, both Borg and Britt-Marie don't know what hit them.

The bottom line in Britt-Marie was Here is that Britt-Marie has not jumped toward anything in her life since her older sister died when Britt-Marie was a little girl. She has lived her life cautiously, carefully, neatly, and cleanly. She doesn't jump, she carefully and logically takes reasonable actions. But, there are people in Born who do not appreciate reasonable actions and keep pestering Britt-Marie to jump. These are people in pain, living in a town that would have been forgotten if people were not so insistent in shutting things down. Borg needs Britt-Marie, but she is not so sure this is a good thing. Slowly, soccer seeps itself into her life and she, shockingly, finds this matters to her and to the people of Borg.

A lovely, strange, but moving story of a woman who has lived a sheltered life that has prevented her from becoming a whole person. In the end, Borg and Britt-Marie will never be the same. And, all due to a small, leather ball, that helps to sooth the pain.



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The Geography of Madness - Author should have remained objective 2 Stars

The Geography of Madness: Penis Thieves, Voodoo Death, and the Search for the Meaning of the World's Strangest Syndromes by Frank Bures
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I received an advance reader copy from Edelweiss/Above the Treeline, but discovered when reading that I was only given the first chapter. I have to say that I was very interested in reading this title, but not so much after reading the first chapter. My anticipation was that the author would remain objective, but I found in the first chapter that he was becoming personally involved in the madness and convinced there was something real in the penis thief situation. I am sure the author was sincere, but I am not comfortable with the author adding to the madness rather than simply reporting. I agree that to look down upon the believers as being ridiculous is not an effective method of reporting either, but I do not agree to the subjective method of reporting he has chosen. This is not a title I would recommend my library system purchase unless requested by a patron.

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The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson - Beautiful and Horrible

The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars 

I loved Helen Simonson's "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" and looked forward to any additional books coming from her. I was not disappointed with "The Summer Before the War" although the stories are so totally different. Yet, they are both very British and contain some similar themes, specifically about class and racial distinctions. But, more importantly to me as a reader, they touched my heart and asked me to once again think of people first as human beings rather than as the positions they hold in society.

Beatrice Nash has recently lost her father and her financial independence, making employment a necessity. She has arrived in Rye to become the new Latin teacher at the local school. As the era is just as World War I is on the horizon, Beatrice is quite at a disadvantage. Not only is she an outsider, but as a woman, Latin is the last subject she would be expected to take on. Her position is, therefore, a bit perilous as the posting is still controversial amongst the influential of Rye.

Luckily Miss Nash has the support of two very influential women, Mrs. Agatha Kent and Lady Emily Wheaton. Both of these strong women are teetering between the old ways of subjugating women, and the new of providing women with opportunity. Beatrice does not fully understand how these women have put themselves on the line for her, but she soon begins to see she is not welcome by everyone, and Agatha, in particular, is fighting to maintain her position in the community. Agatha is also a woman of very strong love for her husband, John, her two nephews and for her community and country.

Now, slowly, we are introduced to other members of the local society as Miss Nash becomes known to them. We meet Agatha's nephews, Hugh Grange and Daniel Bookham. Hugh is just starting his career as a doctor - a surgeon with a strong interest in head injuries. He has recently started an apprenticeship with renowned surgeon Sir Alex Ramsey, and is well into a promising relationship with Dr. Ramsey's daughter, Lucy. Daniel is quite the opposite. His passion is poetry and he is quite the bohemian, with very subtle hints of a possible preference for his friend Craigmore. He is being pressured to take a civil service job with his uncle John Kent, Agatha's husband, but is more inclined to escape to Paris to spend his life immersed in art and poetry. In sympathy with their aunt, both men determine they will support Beatrice against the nay-sayers. Being just slightly naive, Beatrice has come to Rye believing her qualifications for teaching are all that is necessary. However, she soon sees how fragile her position and reputation can be and realizes she must be on guard.

In addition, there are a few more vital characters to add to the list: Snout, or Dickie Sidley as he is known to those less friendly, is a local gypsy teen who has talent and great hopes for a Latin scholarship with Miss Nash's assistance, but is hampered by being a Romany; Mr. Tillingham, the local celebrity author, who holds subtle sway over the community and brings to Rye Belgian refugees looking for safety after the terrible loss of their homeland to the Germans - this includes the Professor and his daughter Celeste; Mrs. Turber, Beatrice's landlady, and many others including the snobby women of Rye, the Headmaster and staff of the local grammar school to which Beatrice has been hired, Lady Emily's family the Wheaton's, etc., etc.

Into all of their lives crashes the beginning of the war as duty takes the men away to the trenches and the women stay behind to fight the war from home. Now the story begins to show us the reality of life in Beatrice's world and the depth of each character as they are all tested in one way or another. Honor and duty, cruelty and inhumanity, prejudice and sacrifice, are all demonstrated in one way or another by the people of Rye who have all become major players in Beatrice's life. The war brings love, compassion and loss to many, including Beatrice, as they see the old ways no longer relevant, yet fight to maintain class distinctions and prejudices against those who are different. In the end, it is love, family and friendship that matter most and bring the moments of joy and peace into their lives.

This is a beautiful and horrible story of the best and worst of humanity. I can see why some reviewers could not like many of the characters, as many of them were not likable. I found the characters and the story a realistic view of what life was like in a small town prior to the war, and the changes brought about by the horrors of war. Not all successfully pass the test, and many are lost either to death or the deaths they have brought about. But, Rye survives, as do the families and friends who have suffered and sacrificed or added to other's pain. There is a future and a hope, as well as continued struggle to make the world better.

I strongly recommend "The Summer Before the War".



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My Top Ten Agatha Christie Novels - PART I

I just saw an article posted on Facebook by my friend Heidi, who is also a librarian.  It was from the Strand Magazine and lists the author's favorite Agatha Christie titles.  Well, I just couldn't let that stand.  I have to answer with my favorites.  Why - well, because!

Over the years I have read everything Agatha Christie has written, most of them several times.  The one regret she said she had about her characters was that she made them old from the beginning.  Her very first title, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, introduces us to Hercule Poirot, a retired Belgian police detective.   This funny little man with the big mustache became one of her greatest creations. But, he was certainly an old man.  And, Miss Marple was an elderly woman.  This set limits to Christie's stories that I am sure she never anticipated.  Later, she introduced us to characters like Tommy and Tuppence who were in their early twenties, and Mr. Parker Pine, a man in his prime.  This gave her the latitude she needed to add in some action along with the "little grey cell" activity of her older sleuths.  However, for me, the best stories were told with Poirot or Marple.

One very interesting aspect of Christie's writing was outlined in a documentary I saw many, many years ago.  I attempted to locate it online, but I was not successful.  Scientists in the film tested the brain waves of a person while reading an Agatha Christie book and were very shocked to find it matched that of a person on an addictive substance.   They retested this and found it was consistent with most readers of Christie novels, but not with readers of any other author.  There is an actual addictive aspect to reading Agatha Christie.  That explains a lot!

But, let's get down to my list of the top ten novels written by Agatha Christie.  I will be numbering them down from number 10 to my favorite at number 1.  All descriptions are taken from the GoodReads website.  Here they are:

10.  Set at the Jolly Roger, a posh vacation resort for the rich and famous on the southern coast of England, Evil Under the Sun is one of Agatha Christie’s most intriguing mysteries. When a gorgeous young bride is brutally strangled to death on the beach, only Hercule Poirot can sift through the secrets that shroud each of the guests and unravel the macabre mystery at this playground by the sea.

9.  In the village of King's Abbot, a widow's sudden suicide sparks rumors that she murdered her first husband, was being blackmailed, and was carrying on a secret affair with the wealthy Roger Ackroyd. The following evening, Ackroyd is murdered in his locked study--but not before receiving a letter identifying the widow's blackmailer. King's Abbot is crawling with suspects, including a nervous butler, Ackroyd's wayward stepson, and his sister-in-law, Mrs. Cecil Ackroyd, who has taken up residence in the victim's home. It's now up to the famous detective Hercule Poirot, who has retired to King's Abbot to garden, to solve the case of who killed Roger Ackroyd--a task in which he is aided by the village doctor and narrator, James Sheppard, and by Sheppard's ingenious sister, Caroline.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is the book that made Agatha Christie a household name and launched her career as a perennial bestseller. Originally published in 1926, it is a landmark in the mystery genre. It was in the vanguard of a new class of popular detective fiction that ushered in the modern era of mystery novels

8.  Hercule Poirot is vacationing on the Cornish coast when he meets Nick Buckly. Nick is the young and reckless mistress of End House, an imposing structure perched on the rocky cliffs of St. Loo. 
Poirot has taken a particular interest in the young woman who has recently narrowly escaped a series of life-threatening accidents. Something tells the Belgian sleuth that these so-called accidents are more than just mere coincidences or a spate of bad luck. It seems all too clear to him that someone is trying to do away with poor Nick, but who? And, what is the motive? In his quest for answers, Poirot must delve into the dark history of End House. The deeper he gets into his investigation, the more certain he is that the killer will soon strike again. And, this time, Nick may not escape with her life.

7.  The Leonides are one big happy family living in a sprawling, ramshackle mansion. That is until the head of the household, Aristide, is murdered with a fatal barbiturate injection.  Suspicion naturally falls on the old man’s young widow, fifty years his junior. But the murderer has reckoned without the tenacity of Charles Hayward, fiancé of the late millionaire’s granddaughter.


CONTINUED IN PART II

http://barblibrarianadultbooks.blogspot.com/2016/04/my-top-ten-agatha-christie-novels-part.html

My Top Ten Agatha Christie Novels PART II

 6.  Witness for the Prosecution, Agatha Christie's highly successful and award-winning stage thriller, opened in 1953 to spectacular reviews. It went on to become an acclaimed feature film, nominated for six Academy Awards. In a stunning courtroom drama, a scheming wife testifies against her husband during a shocking murder trial...  This special 50th anniversary edition comes complete with three other mysteries, demonstrating Agatha Christie's mastery of the crime genre in theatre as well as books.

5.  Murder at the Vicarage marks the debut of Agatha Christie’s unflappable and much beloved female detective, Miss Jane Marple. With her gift for sniffing out the malevolent side of human nature, Miss Marple is led on her first case to a crime scene at the local vicarage. Colonel Protheroe, the magistrate whom everyone in town hates, has been shot through the head. No one heard the shot. There are no leads. Yet, everyone surrounding the vicarage seems to have a reason to want the Colonel dead. It is a race against the clock as Miss Marple sets out on the twisted trail of the mysterious killer without so much as a bit of help from the local police





4.  It was an open and shut case. All the evidence said Caroline Crale poisoned her philandering husband, a brilliant painter. She was quickly and easily convicted and sentenced to life in prison. 
Now, sixteen years later, in a posthumous letter, Mrs. Crale has assured her grown daughter that she was innocent. But instead of setting the young woman's mind at ease, the letter only raises disquieting questions. Did Caroline indeed write the truth? And if she didn't kill her husband, who did?  To find out, the Crale’s daughter asks Hercule Poirot to reopen the case. His investigation takes him deep into the conflicting memories and motivations of the five other people who were with the Crales on the fatal day. With his keen understanding of human psychology, he manages to discover the surprising truth behind the artist's death.


3.  The owner of a seaside villa is plagued by strange feelings about its past…  Soon after Gwenda moved into her new home, odd things started to happen. Despite her best efforts to modernise the house, she only succeeded in dredging up its past. Worse, she felt an irrational sense of terror every time she climbed the stairs…  In fear, Gwenda turned to Miss Marple to exorcise her ghosts. Between them, they were to solve a ‘perfect’ crime committed many years before.




2.  One of Agatha Christie’s most famous mysteries, Murder on the Orient Express was inspired by two real-life crimes and the author’s own experience being stranded on the Orient Express during Christmas of 1931. While traveling to Paris, a wealthy American is stabbed to death in his cabin on the Orient Express. With the train stuck in a snowdrift, there is no easy escape for the killer. Fortunately, detective Hercule Poirot is aboard and launches a clever investigation into the curious assortment of passengers, of whom each seems to have a motive.


1.  My very favorite, and no movie has shown the ending as it occurred in the book.
So strange.

"Ten . . ."
Ten strangers are lured to an isolated island mansion off the Devon coast by a mysterious "U.N. Owen."
"Nine . . ."
At dinner a recorded message accuses each of them in turn of having a guilty secret, and by the end of the night one of the guests is dead.
"Eight . . ."
Stranded by a violent storm, and haunted by a nursery rhyme counting down one by one . . . one by one they begin to die.
"Seven . . ."
Who among them is the killer and will any of them survive?

The Murder of Mary Russell by Laurie R. King - 5 star - Reveals the past life of Mrs. Hudson

The Murder of Mary Russell by Laurie R. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Publishing April 5, 2016

Having read Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories as a kid, I have always loved everything Holmes. Laurie R. King especially writes a fascinating series about Holmes after retirement to the country to raise bees when he meets and marries Mary Russell, a young woman with gifts similar to his. Mary keeps Holmes sharp and the two work together on cases and share adventures.

In The Murder of Mary Russell, we see King at her finest in her ability to imagine the past lives of those surrounding Holmes. When Mary Russell goes missing, it appears to be related to the past life of Mrs. Hudson, the current housekeeper, and prior landlady at 221B Baker St.

This is a Mrs. Hudson as we have never seen her portrayed. We find that in reality, Mrs. Clara Hudson is actually Miss Clarissa Hudson, as she has never married.

As a child, Clarissa and her mother are transported to Australia after her mother commits a crime, intentionally, hoping to be transported so she can meet her husband who is currently in Australia. James is in Australia as he left England owing a substantial sum to a London super criminal called The Bishop.

When her mother passes away, James and his two daughters, Alicia and Clarissa, are in desperate straights. James is surprised to identify an amazing acting ability in his eldest, Clarissa, and sets out to use this talent to commit "Cheats" as Clarissa thinks of them. These are little cons committed by James and Clarissa in which Clarissa either distracts the victim while James picks their pockets or appeals to their sympathy with a false claim of distress and obtains little monetary gifts.

As Clarissa gets older, the "Cheats" become harder and harder to perpetrate in Australia. Knowing Alicia has no abilities to participate in their cons, they leave her in the safe hands of her teacher and head to London. Alicia then leads a very normal life growing up in Australia and marrying.

In the meantime, the now young woman Clarissa is pulling her biggest con - have a season in the ton and find a wealthy husband. But, this is where she makes her mistake - she falls in love with a wrong man.

Mrs. Hudson's story takes several twists and turns that tie her to the young man, Sherlock Holmes, for the rest of her life. Included in this relationship are a baby and a young man boy named Billy. What do they have in common? Why has this resulted in a danger for Mary Russell? Where is Mary - is she dead or in danger? All is revealed.

I loved the background story of Mrs. Hudson. This is so far from what you would expect of the ever present, proper landlady from the Holmes stories. But, this is definitely her story, and Sherlock Holmes takes a back seat here. As usual, the writing is superb and King keeps us riveted with her unusual tale.

I highly recommend this for lovers of Conan Doyle and the Mary Russell series.

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The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce - Read Harold Fry first!

The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My book club chose the Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy for our February meeting title. This title is a companion book to The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. We have a rule in our club that we will only read books that no one in the group has read. Since someone had read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry that book could not be selected for the club. But, we read somewhere that Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy could stand alone and did not require having read the first title. Our book club determined this was not a true statement. The only person who truly enjoyed this second title was the person who read the first title.

Miss Queenie Hennessy is in hospice and is dying. She has written a letter to Harold Fry letting him know she is dying and, apparently, that she has been in love with him since they worked together many years ago. She is aware that Harold has now undertaken a 600 mile walk to come to her and hopes his long walk will give her something to look forward to and she will stay alive until he arrives.

However, since there are no guarantees she will be alive to see him, Miss Queenie determines, with the help of a new volunteer nun, that she will write a second letter to Harold, telling him all he needs to know about her life during the time they worked together, why she left, and why she lives alone in a seaside cottage and has never married.

Basically, I found the story very sad and depressing. Queenie is an interesting character, but I just found I had a hard time getting into the story and interested in her past. The story is quirky and full of interesting little stories and quirky characters. But, there were just too many questions left unanswered. Based on the reaction of the one person who read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, it was important to have read that story first to understand why Harold was coming to see Queenie, why he was walking all the way, and what his feelings and thoughts were about her. Apparently, understanding Harold gives us more insight into Queenie and her experiences.

I strongly suggest this book NOT be read as a stand alone, but only after having read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.


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A Girl's Guide to Moving On by Debbie Macomber, boring and formulaic

A Girl's Guide to Moving On by Debbie Macomber
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

As a librarian, I am tasked to familiarize myself with a variety of authors. Sometimes the books of a particular author are not to my personal taste, but it is to my benefit to be familiar with what our patrons enjoy and request. I have always known about Debbie Macomber, but A Girl's Guide to Moving On is the first actual title of hers I have read. Unfortunately, this will remain an author that is not to my taste.

A Girl's Guide to Moving On is the story of Nichole and Leanne, daughter-in-law and mother-in-law. Jake, Nichole's husband and Leanne's son, has been cheating on Nichole and his current girl is pregnant. Nichole determine's to leave Jake, who she believes has been unfaithful for some time.

Leanne has lived with her husband, Sean, for 35 years, but determines she will follow in Nichole's footsteps, as she has suffered from her husbands infidelity for just too many years. In addition, he cruelly undermines her self-image by telling her she is no longer attractive to him.

Both women file for divorce, with Leanne completing hers quickly, but Nichole must fight Jake every step of the way as he is not interested in splitting up. The two women become each others greatest supporters, and share their love for Nichole and Jake's young son. They set out to move on with their lives, and they start by writing down a guide to assist them. The guide contains ideas such as making new friends, staying positive, focusing on others to prevent themselves from falling into despair, etc.

Nichole starts work in a charity shop that dresses women who are starting back into the work world. She befriends Shantelle who encourages her to pursue a new relationship with Rocco, the owner of a towing company that Nichole met when she backed into a ditch. Meanwhile, Leanne begins teaching English as a second language classes in a local school. Here she meets Nikolai, a Ukrainian baker who brings her marvelous home made bread that he bakes for her alone.

The concept of the story is certainly of interest. However, a divorced woman moving on with her life is not the most unique of concepts. In addition, I found the first couple of chapters to be written in a jarringly pedestrian manner. I found myself bored very quickly. After reading a dozen chapters or so, I had had enough. I determined my theories as to how the story would proceed and moved to read the last two chapters and epilogue. Each of my theories was accurate. There were very few unique aspects to the story. Formulaic is the word that comes to mind.

Debbie Macomber is an exceedingly popular and successful author. Her many fans enjoy her formula and find comfort in the predictability of her stories. To these fans, I can recommend A Girl's Guide to Moving On. The characters are engaging, and the story is a comfortable one of women overcoming their life obstacles and moving forward to find love, fulfillment, and contentment.

However, many readers are looking for something new and original when reading. I fall into that category in most instances. I cannot recommend this title to those readers as the story is just too predictable, and in my mind, a bit dated in the ideas of today's women and their lives.

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Andy and Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show - a pleasure - 4 Stars

Andy and Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show by Daniel de Visé
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was such a pleasure to read this biography of Andy Griffith and Don Knotts. It is also kind of shocking to think I was watching the Andy Griffith show about 50 years ago as a young child.

Andy Taylor and Barney Fife were cousins and best friends on the Andy Griffith show created in the 1960's. However, the audience may not have realized the actors Andy Griffith and Don Knotts truly admired each other and were close friends until Don passed away in 2006. This biography focuses on the relationship of the two actor/comedians, both on and off-screen.

Both actors were beloved for their aw shucks characters, but we find in "Andy and Don" the more complex people they were in reality. As with most people, their lives were full of moments of self-doubt and jealousy. Both men experienced failed marriages, unemployment and losses of loved ones. However, we also see how both men stuck it out and pushed forward into successful careers, and second careers, and third careers! And, throughout, they remained friends and supporters of each other.

A very interesting telling of the lives of two men who appear on television to this day and have fans of every age. The story is told by Daniel de Vise', Don Knotts brother-in-law.

Recommended for fans of the old Andy Griffith program.

advanced copy received from Edelweiss/Above the Treeline

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Better than Fiction 2: True adventures from 30 great fiction writers by Lonely Planet - solid 5 Stars

Better than Fiction 2: True adventures from 30 great fiction writers by Lonely Planet

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A whole slew of fiction writers are asked by Lonely Planet to write a chapter telling of a travel experience they would like to share: Scary, funny, embarrassing, eye-opening, puzzling, etc. The locations are a wide variety around the world.

As you can imagine, people who write fiction for a living can write a pretty well-defined and fascinating travel tale. The descriptions of the people, locations, foods, etc. are amazing. The authors are simply travelers like ourselves, experiencing new locations or beloved locations. However, they have the advantage over us as they have the advanced language to truly bring the travel experience to life.

I have not read the first version of Better than Fiction, but I certainly will now. This is a wonderful book - highly recommended for those who love to travel and/or love to read about out of the way places and travel experiences. I loved it.

Recommended for purchase by my library system.
advance copy received from Edelweiss/Above the Treeline

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The Passenger by Lisa Lutz - recommended for lovers of Gone Girl and Girl on a Train 4 Stars

The Passenger by Lisa Lutz

Expected publication: March 1st 2016 by Simon & Schuster

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Passenger is an interesting and thrilling ride. It is the story of a young woman taken advantage of by just too many people. In most of these cases they were allowed to continue in their lives as if nothing changed, but she must quickly find another identity and take off. We follow her across the country as she seeks some semblance of a life and a future. Why is she running, who can she trust, will she get out alive?

The Passenger starts with a death. Our heroine comes downstairs and finds her husband has fallen down the stairs and has died. It is an accidental death. Tanya has been the ordinary housewife, working side by side with her husband at their bar. So, why now does Tanya flee? Why doesn't she just stay and be Frank's widow getting the bar and everything else? She was having an affair with her chiropractor, she could continue that. But, Tanya runs, and we are left wondering why she married Frank in the first place and what she is running from.

Her first action is to contact Mr. Oliver to obtain a new name and new identity. Who is this guy? Why does she contact him? And, then, why does he try to have her killed? Her new name is Amelia, but this isn't working for her either. Luckily, she meets Blue, who is also in need of a new name. Her real name is Deborah, so the two of them switch identities, and off they run, both needing a new life.

In the meantime, we see Tanya/Amelia/Deborah emailing Ryan and signing her emails Jo. This is when we discover our heroine is truly running from something she has done in her hometown. Ryan (his real name) is part of that something, and loves Jo. Their emails are the only time Jo is her real self. What happened?

The Passenger is a very quick read and I expect it to appeal to the same readers who enjoyed Gone Girl and Girl on a Train. This is not great literature, but that is not the intent. It is the story of a young, naive girl who trusted too much and was truly taken advantage of by people who wanted to protect their own. But, her new life, or lack of a life, changes her and creates even more problems. Will she ever find a way out?

I really enjoyed The Passenger. It truly is a roller coaster ride full of intrigue. The marketing plan tells the reader to "buckle-up", and really, you should. I give it four stars and think it will be very popular when it comes out.

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