Marley & Me

by John Grogan

      Marley is the world's worst dog.  At least that's what his family believes when he eats new necklaces, runs away with a cafe table attached to his leash, and jumps on just about everyone that comes to their house.  To the owners, he is a nuisance, but as most dog owners understand, he quickly becomes a member of the family.  This book follows Marley as he grows and also the author's life.

      John and his wife decide to buy a puppy on impulse because it would be great practice for the responsibility of raising kids.  John loves the idea, especially after thinking fondly of his childhood dog he loved so much.  Despite them both having jobs, they took this responsibility head on.  After getting their puppy John finally researches the Labrador Retriever breed and finds out that their high strung personalities, need for constant companionship with their humans, and stubborn personalities with training may be hard to manage.  John reads that a good indicator of the puppy's personality is the temperament of the parents.  John thinks back to his day at the breeder remembers that while the mother was calm; the only glimpse he had of the father was a frothing, charging, covered in mud lunatic.  Needless to say, the Grogans soon learn they might have bitten off more than they can chew! Marley is hyper, untrained, and chews just about everything he can get his paws on.  The Grogan's try to work out his energy with scheduled walks, times to play, and games.  Marley has a particular fear of thunderstorms, and will break through walls, chew doors, etc. at the sounds of a storm approaching.  For all of the moments that Marley is wild and uncontrollable, the family also finds that he is protective of the humans he loves, and can comfort them when they are in need of a shoulder to cry on.  While they struggle with Marley, they also have moments of emotional hilarious situations that make this book so enjoyable.

       This book was an intimate look into the relationship between an owner and his beloved canine.  It depicts the ups and downs, serious moment in their lives, and overall joys of owning a dog.  While this book is mostly about Marley's experiences and stories, it also follows the Grogans' lives.  John Grogan does not hold back on the details of his life, happy or sad, he tells everything.  It makes this book very personal and unforgettable.    

      .  Marley, over the course of the story becomes a member of their family and beloved friend to their children.  This book did not take long to finish at all and I loved each chapter.  If you have a soft spot for dogs or have one as a member of your family, this book should be on your reading list.  Enjoy!

Rating: 5 out of 5    

Up Next: Mudbound by Hillary Jordan

The Collectors

By David Baldacci
Rejoining the camel club after their last adventure, a whole new set of problems has emerged. The Speaker of the House has been assassinated, and the camel club has connected this murder with the death of the director of the Library of Congress’s Rare Books division. The director just so happens to be the boss of camel club member, Caleb Shaw. The Camel Club utilizes their inside man to directly “work against” a powerful and dangerous espionage ring. 

While we catch up with the Camel Club, we are also introduced to the con artist Annabelle Conroy. Annabelle is arranging a team for a con to settle a personal vendetta. Her target is Jerry Bagger, Atlantic City casino tycoon. After a series of short cons, they have built up enough capital to pull the big con against Jerry Bagger. After the con, the team parts ways, and Annabelle ends up in Washington. It just so happens that her ex-husband is Jonathan DeHaven, the former Director of the Rare Books Division. While attending his funeral, she runs into Oliver, Caleb, and the rest of the camel club. She agrees to meet with the camel club to discuss Jonathan’s private collection of rare books, to assist Caleb who was named his literary executor. The Camel Club begins to realize that the murder of the Speaker of the House and the death of Jonathan DeHaven are connected. Soon they are tracking down leads, and investigating suspicious characters trying to uncover major players in an espionage ring.

Baldacci once again does a wonderful job spinning an elaborate web of interconnected plotlines and interrelated characters. He slowly builds on the major theme, and creates additional tension with side plots. The two, related plotlines work well together. Baldacci effectively alternates between villains Roger Seagraves and Jerry Bagger. He makes good use of his opportunities to create tension and drive the story, often putting the Bagger story on the back burner and bringing you back to it when appropriate. I still feel that many of the characters in this book are underdeveloped. The majority of the Camel Club are practically faceless and placeholders for activity. In addition, some of the more technical (science-related) details in this book bothered me due to inaccuracy. As a reader, one thing that irritates me is when an author over-extends himself into an area in which he is unfamiliar. Baldacci should stick to government ops, and avoid science (for me). Despite these few faults, I really enjoyed the book and look forward to continuing the series.

Rating: 4 out of 5 bunsen burners

Up Next: Stone Cold by David Baldacci

The Camel Club

By David Baldacci

The first novel of a five book series, we follow ex-covert operative Oliver Stone. Oliver used to be a part of a black-ops assassination squad for the US government. Long since dissociated from the Triple Six, he now spends his time in a tent adjacent to the White House. In protest, he displays a sign on this tent that summarizes his new attitude, “I Want the Truth.”

The camel club is a group of friends who meet to discuss political events and other conspiracies. During one of their secret meetings, they witness the murder of a CIA agent. This murder is staged to look like a suicide, for reasons yet unknown to the reader. The camel club is seen trying to escape on their boat, and soon they are drawn into a governmental conspiracy which pits Oliver against adversaries from his former life. They struggle to save the lives of government officials and untangle the web of conspiracy. We race towards the conclusion of a nasty terrorist plot, centered around an elaborate assault on a public official. The action is fast paced, and weaves a complex story which tethers Oliver’s past to current events and major figures. It’s up to Oliver and the rest of the camel club to avoid the treasonous agents, while trying to solve and prevent crimes. The Camel Club even gains a friend in Secret service agent Alex Ford, whose affiliation is crucial to the development of the story.

Baldacci excels with plotlines revolving around conspiracy and government ops. He shines in is his description of weapons and tactical coordination. Baldacci’s writing makes the process of infiltration and attack very believable and understandable. With the characters of the Camel Club, he has woven a complex web of relationships. Seemingly unrelated characters or events are quickly integrated into the plot and used to build up Oliver’s backstory. He also feeds us pieces of Oliver’s former personal and professional life. By the end of the book, we have a great understanding of the emotional and professional motives of Oliver. Tying the plot together in a satisfying way also exemplifies his work, and by the end of the book you understand all the key relationships (except for the ones he leaves for later books).

My complaints with this book detract little from the novel itself, but were still somewhat distracting. I felt that the supporting characters were very weak. The novel is called “The Camel Club,” yet I cared little about the other members. Their personalities and traits were somewhat weak, and their involvement in the story often seemed to be integrated just so that the action was happening to someone else instead of Oliver all the time. They were forgettable, and I can only hope they are further developed in the other books of the series. Having read some other reviews of the book, many readers felt the book was a bit preachy about the “evils of America” and where we have gone wrong. While I definitely recognize the passages where this occurred, it did not distract me from the story. Given the publication date (2005) I can also understand the political climate at the time this was written, so it is excusable.

 Rating: 4 out of 5 Bunsen Burners
 Up Next: The Collectors (book 2) by David Baldacci

A Lion Called Christian

by Anthony Bourke and John Rendall

       Most of us saw the YouTube video montage of the lion cub reuniting with his human owners after a couple of years in the wild of Africa.  It was amazing, unique, and unfathomable how this male lion, king of the jungle, could be so warm and gentle to these men.  Like many, I viewed the video and wanted to know more.  I found this book at a used bookstore and took it home.  The story was a rare event of a wonderful bond between a lion named "Christian" and his two owners.

       Christian, a male lion cub, was purchased at the famous department store in London, England, called "Harrods" in the 1970s.  Anthony and John decided to buy the lion cub as a pet and keep him in the basement of the furniture store that they worked in.  They describe the playfulness of the cub and how they could see moments of his wild instincts show as he swiped his claws at their legs walking by.  The three became wonderful companions with humorous stories to share.  The love between owners and animal is heartwarming and touching.

        After a few months, it is obvious to Anthony and John that Christian is getting too large for his surroundings and was frequently becoming bored from lack of stimulation.  They would take him to a church lawn and allow him to run freely.  This was short lived due to the growing concern of people in the area. Christian was never a "danger" but he would often bring fear to those passing by.  Anthony and John knew immediately that their love for Christian would force them to have to find an alternative environment for him.  That turned out to be an adventure of a lifetime for them and Christian as they began planning to release their "cub" into the African wilderness.  The rest of their journey is incredible (which includes their reunion).  It is a feel good story from beginning to end.

       I absolutely adored this book. I thought it was well written, organized, and the topic was fantastic. Obviously you will fall in love with the characters and be able to just imagine their bond with Christian.  I liked this story because Anthony and John are very truthful and candid about what they experienced.  The men did not have many unrealistic ideas about the decision to own a wild animal and they do not pretend they knew what they were getting into by purchasing him.  They admit many times they thought it was a risky and dangerous idea.  They admitted when the space became too small and the animal too big to handle.  I appreciated this about their story. 


Rating: 4 out of 5


Up Next: Marley & Me by John Grogan

Pet Sematary

    By Stephen King

        I read this classic tale of horror when I was younger, but couldn’t remember most of the story details. This book was written at the zenith of King’s horror period, and this story certainly lived up to my expectations.
       The story involves a typical American family; a mother and father with a son and daughter and cat. The Creed family has moved from Chicago to Ludlow, Maine where Louis is going to be the doctor for a small university. The family moves into a nice home, on a very busy road. They are quickly welcomed into the community by Judd, their neighbor across the street. Everything is wonderful with the family, as they begin to settle in to their new home. However, Louis’s first day at the university is a sign of what is to come. A college student is brought in to the medical center after being struck by a car. The incident resonates with Louis’s daughter, Ellie, as it is her first introduction to death. More importantly, the horrific death resonates with Mrs. Creed. Rachel Creed was exposed to death at a very young age, when her sister contracted and slowly died from spinal meningitis. Rachel was traumatized by the death, and becomes very cross with Louis when he decides to have a frank conversation about death with their daughter. Ellie’s cat is then killed by an Orinco truck on the busy road in front of their house. Judd decides to take Louis to the pet sematary, and to the Indian burial ground which holds a forbidden secret. Soon Louis is struggling with a bigger problem than his daughter’s dead cat. 
         I found this book to be a very interesting read. While the story was sufficiently interesting, what impressed me the most was how relatable the characters were. The emotions and conflicts are so well described that it is easy to put yourself in their shoes. The action wasn’t fast-paced, but the thrill was in the anticipation on what was going to happen next. I would definitely recommend this book; it is a great example of what people think of when they think “Stephen King.” 


Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Bunsen Burners 


Up Next: The Camel Club by David Baldacci

Safe Haven

by Nicholas Sparks

Katie Feldman is a young woman seeking refuge and anonymity in a small new town. She moves to Southport, North Carolina into a cabin for a fresh start. She takes a job at a local restaurant to try and make some money. Katie quickly starts a friendship with her neighbor Jo who lives next door. No one would suspect that she is hiding from an abusive husband and a life she was desperate to escape.

Trusting people is obviously something that Katie is wary of given her past. Soon after moving to Southport, Katie meets Alex, a store owner, and feels drawn to him and his two children. Katie starts to let her guard down and a relationship begins to form. Both of these unsuspecting characters have no idea what is about to rock their finally stable world.

Nicholas Sparks is known for his romances. Some of his books have even been made in to successful motion pictures. Safe Haven will not disappoint Spark's fans - it's a quick and easy read, a love story, and a general feel good book. For me this book was a fast read that I had a hard time putting down. It is full of several twists and turns. Some you see coming, some are unpredictable. This book is part romance, part mystery, part thriller. What is not to love?

My few critiques are that the book could have ended a few pages earlier and I would have been satisfied. The final twist was unnecessary in my opinion and I could have done without it. Having said that, I still thought it was a great book and I would recommend it to any Nicholas Sparks fan. Or anyone looking for a good beach read this summer!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Up Next: Christian the Lion by Anthony Bourke and John Rendall

 

A Cup of Tea

by Amy Ephron

       It is 1917 in New York during World War I when a prominent woman, Rosemary Fell, walks down the street and sees a woman under a lamp post, shivering against the elements.  The woman is obviously penniless and Rosemary, on a whim, decides to invite the young woman home for a cup of tea.  Rosemary clothes the girl and gives her something to eat.  While at Rosemary's house, her fiance Phillip comes in to visit her and he looks a little too longingly at the homeless young woman.  The woman returns this gaze.  Sensing something is going on, Rosemary quickly pushes the woman out of her life as fast as she came in, but little does Rosemary realize, the damage is already done.  Soon Rosemary's high society world is crumbling at her fingertips all because she took a chance to try and help a woman.

        This book is a very short book, so as to not give too much away, the review will mirror this.  This book has a very interesting concept.  Not many books have a plot with the main character giving a helping hand and it ends up hurting their lives forever.  This book has many twists and turns which keeps readers hooked.  Each chapter is only a few pages long so this read will not take many of you very long.  Take a chance on this short story and enjoy!


Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Up Next: Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks  
  

The Gathering

by Kelley Armstrong

Those who know me well know that I'm a huge fan of Kelley Armstrong's "Otherworld" series.  Since I'm all caught up and awaiting the next volume (impatiently I might add), I was intrigued by her new series The Gathering.  Like her "Otherworld" books, this one also involves the supernatural though less overtly so.

The book opens in a really off-the-beaten path and somewhat secretive village in Canada.  There, a whole town exists to serve a corporation run by the St. Clouds.  No one is exactly sure what is going on within the compound but all the families work at their medical research facility.  They were brought there for various reasons.  Mainly to serve the needs of the company.  Each family was given a home and their kids are given the best of the best in regards to everything.  But things are not what they seem in this town.  There is a mystery afoot right from the get go and it only gets more and more mysterious as time goes on.

Maya is our protagonist.  She's an adopted child with Native American roots.  She doesn't know much about her history or who her real parents are.  One of her most unique characteristics is a pawprint-shaped birthmark on her hip.  Of the other kids in the town, she's closest to Daniel.  But soon, another boy takes serious interest in Maya: Rafe.  He's known as a player and a bad boy.  At first, she's not interested in him at all.  But soon, she finds herself falling for him and it turns out he knows more about her than she does. . .

This book is written for older teens so it's not quite as in-depth or grisly as Armstrong's other books.  The characters are well-written and believable and the book flows smoothly.  I found myself not surprised by some of the developments as the story went on but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the work.  Fans of the "Otherworld" series will note some crossover in this book and be excited to see how that pans out in the future.

While this book wasn't the page-turner I have found her other works to be, I still had some difficulty putting it down.  I found myself saying "Just one more chapter. . ." a few too many times.  ;)  While the ending did leave me wanting more, I didn't feel like I was on pins and needles awaiting the next volume.  The book simply ends like the next chapter was left off of it.  No serious cliffhangers.  No glaring mystery still left to solve (aside from the ones pervading the entire book).

I certainly enjoyed this book and it was a nice holdover while I await the next book in the "Otherworld" series.  I'm also really looking forward to reading the other books in this new series as soon as they come out.

I would give this book 4 out of 5 wheeks.