January 3rd, 2010

Book Review: The Brightest Star in the Sky

The Brightest Star in the Sky by Marian Keyes

I’ve reviewed a Marian Keyes book before, and after having first reviewed This Charming Man I actually went to my library and took out several other Marian Keyes novels. I really enjoyed them all and Marian’s newest book, The Brightest Star in the Sky, is no exception for me. It’s a thought-provoking book full of believable characters with a real energy of its own.

The book centers around a small apartment building and the various tenants who live within it. There are four flats total, and many of the tenants interact in interesting ways with one another. My favorite tenant is Kate, a single 40 year old woman who is not really sure where her life is heading. I also love Matt and Maeve, a couple whose lives seem to be stuck in a bad holding pattern, but as their story is revealed my empathy for them grew and grew.

There is one other character in the story – a mysterious presence who has come to the building for some purpose, that is not revealed for quite some time. You get a sense of what it might be, but as with many Marian Keyes stories, never assume anything – she likes to surprise you!

This book’s biggest strength is the cast of characters – they are beautifully developed and you will quickly become immersed in their lives and their stories. It’s hard to find any weaknesses for me, I don’t know if that’s because I’m not critical enough or just that this is truly a fabulous book. But I give it a full 5 out of 5 and absolutely recommend you run out and grab this book asap! It’s a perfect read for a cold winter weekend.

POST REVIEW NOTE

I’m hoping to feature a “book” post on my blog weekly, occasionally reviews, more often probably just chatter about my current list of reading material. I almost always have a book or two on the go, I’m working on reading some material found on a blogger’s favorites posts and I’m just generally trying to expand my reading horizons. Right now, I’m reading Wally Lamb’s The Hour I First Believed (from the wonderful Spruce Grove Public Library!)

Laurie, aka Mobile Mommy

August 5th, 2009

Book Review This Charming Man by Marian Keyes

This Charming Man by Marian Keyes

I’m going to admit, I wasn’t sure at first what to think of Marian Keyes‘ latest book, This Charming Man. It was the first book I’d read by Marian and the “voice” of Lola, the first main character in the book, rubbed me the wrong way. After several minutes of reading I was feeling quite frustrated by Lola’s grammar and style, but a quick flip of some pages revealed that it would not be the only voice in the book. In fact, three women were given a voice in the book, and eventually I was completely won over by the stories they shared and how each story was woven into the others.

This Charming Man is a nice long, juicy read – 676 pages. So don’t expect to sit down and read it in one sitting, unless you have several hours free! I personally love long books, there is so much more time to get to know the characters and wonder what exactly is going to happen in the end. If you don’t like long books though, consider yourself warned.

At its heart, This Charming Man is, to me, about choices, independence and most critically, violence against women. Each of the main women featured in this book have seen or experienced violence exacted upon a woman by a man no one would even realize was an abuser. Isn’t that sadly too often the case?

I wish I could say I was shocked by the fact that certain characters in this book went back again and again for more abuse. I wish I could say I was shocked that other people suspected the abuse and did nothing about it. I am not though. The world can be a very ugly place and domestic abuse is prevalent around the world. I know it’s affected my life. My mother is in an abusive relationship right now. She lives in denial of the severity of her situation, like so many people who suffer silently. It is scary and sad and ugly and wrong. It has colored the way I see the world and how I behave with my amazing husband. It colors every choice I make for my sons, because I want to make sure they grow up understanding why violence happens and how to make better choices in their lives.

Thank goodness there are real choices and good people in this world. There is one woman in this book (no, I won’t spoil it and tell you who!!) who acts heroically in more than one way, by taking a stand against violence and it is people like that who give me hope. Fictional or not, I know that there are people just like that in this world and we need them!!

Overall, This Charming Man is a fascinating read with a well-developed and intriguing story, fascinating characters who feel very real and a ton of emotion. I cried through several parts (not surprising to you if you’ve read any of my other reviews, lol). What can I say, I love to cry through my books! Wait til I share some of my newer reviews with you, some of those books were serious tear-jerkers.

Despite my initial hesitation I actually give This Charming man a full 5 out of 5 stars. It had everything I want in a book and more and I loved it so much I’ve since read about 3 other Marian Keyes’ books from my library and I have another in my to-read pile!

June 29th, 2009

Working on the Weekend

I started working with a new client this weekend. It was interesting, as I’m often busy on weekends and don’t always answer my business line then, but this Saturday I was around home with no real plans and so I answered when the phone rang. It was a client who had some urgent work and was glad to find a virtual assistant who was actually available on the weekend. It was definitely good timing!

It can be very hard to make yourself work on the weekends, when the kids are happily running around the house wanting you to join in, or the farmer’s market calls your name. Or scrabble – good thing I got in some scrabble last weekend, lol! It’s so important to grab good opportunities when they come your way though – you never know when things are going to align just right and you’ll move your business another step forward. So I keep telling my lovely sister who finally has finished her esthetics program and is ready to get going with doing esthetics from home. She did my nails a few days ago and they look so pretty, but she needs to work on her business attitude. Always a reason for not wanting to start just yet.

Anyway, not my concern is it. What can I say, I’m a bit of an overly-involved sister sometimes. Growing up we joked that I was the mom of the family (my mom is not so much of the “grown-up” unfortunately). But sis is a grown up and has to do things her way – and I have enough mothering to do with my three wild boys!

I didn’t just work this weekend. In fact I also attended a baby shower and read a couple of good books. Books are such a nice break from the busy parts of my week, and with the cable turned off I’ve been reading more than ever! In fact tomorrow I’m planning to get a post up about my latest review book, Dune Road by Jane Green. Oh and if, like me, you’ve turned back to young adult fiction ever since the Twilight Phenomenon, can I recommend the Night World series by L.J. Smith or books by Scott Westerfeld (The Uglies, The Pretties, etc) – I am so glad I’ve started reading YA novels again, they are a perfect break from my life!

Ok, really must go to bed. Not only did I work this weekend, but late last night and I just finished another urgent project. My eyes are tired and my back is wondering when I’m going to stop sitting at the table with my laptop and actually use my home office!!