Atonement by Ian McEwan
The Goodbye Door by Diana Britt Franklin
Serena/Caine (The MacGregor's) by Nora Roberts
Generally, I think that the book is always better than the movie, but in Atonement, I would have to think that the movie had to be better. I haven't seen the movie, but after struggling through the book, the movie had to be better than that! It just seemed to drag on for the first 150 pages before it got slightly more interesting. I was somewhat relieved when the book was over. The story line was interesting, but I didn't really enjoy the telling of it.
The Goodbye Door, now that was interesting in a train-wreck kind of way. It is the true story of Anna-Marie Hahn, Ohio's first female murderer who was killed in the electric chair. It was even more interesting because it all occurred here in Cincinnati, though in the 1930's. I lost count of all the victims, but the author had a handy little chart in the back of the book. Wow. It did read a little like a newspaper article with all the facts and little poetry (for lack of a better word). Still, it held my attention all the way through and I was satisfied by the wrap-up at the end. When it's a true story, I like hearing whatever happened to the people in the story and the author did this well. Fascinating.
Serena/Caine MacGregor is two stories in one paperback. In typical Nora Roberts fashion, the extraordinarily handsome/pretty main character has a conflictual acquaintance with the extraordinarily handsome/pretty person that will eventually, through much conflict and passion, become their 'happily ever after' partner. No intellectual challenges, just a quick easy read. I have some feminist resentment with these stories though because the woman often protests the relationship, vocalizes her resistance, but then is pressured/convinced. No means 'no' people. Don't say 'no' when you really mean 'yes'. It just damages all the women out there in the world who said, 'no' but was not listened to. Now, stepping off my soap-box.
What I'm reading now:
Love the one you're With by Emily Giffen. I'm about 1/3 of the way in and I'm really enjoying this book. I'll have to tell you about it later, but the main character has many layers and conflicting emotions that Emily Giffen does a great job in describing.
Hooked for Life by Mary Beth Temple. Ah MBT! What fun this book is in a lighthearted, I-love-reading-about-anything-related-to-crochet kind of way. As typical with most comedy, it's the ability to make fun observations with everyday life that amuses us most. A great book to read while traveling on the way to your favorite yarn event, like Chain-Link in Buffalo in August perhaps?
What's next on the list:
Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez and Kristin Ohlson
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