December 2016

The Goldfinch

by Donna Tartt

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.  It had elements that might have been depressing, including a majorly traumatic event, characters with PTSD, depression and substance abuse.  I’m not exactly sure why, but I actually found the book to be uplifting.  Perhaps it’s because I listened to the audio version.  David Pittu did an excellent job of narrating.  The story was told in first person and it seemed like the character was talking right to the listeners.  Most importantly, I think that it was the way Tartt told the story.  There was simplicity to her telling, not giving too much detail or dwelling on the negativity.  The action kept moving.  The characters, their emotions and reactions were real.  Art and antiques flowed throughout the story.  I’m glad that I picked up the Audible.com edition when it was on sale, but it would be a great listen at full price.

At Seventy: The Journal of May Sarton

By May Sarton

I love May Sarton’s journals.  I’ve read several of them over the years, and each one was perfect for a particular time in my life.  At Seventy records Sarton’s life and thoughts throughout her seventieth year.  Although I’m not yet seventy, I could definitely relate to many of her thoughts and experiences with aging.  I especially loved her descriptions of her garden and life on the coast of Maine. The intimacy and the ordinariness of her writing always gives me the feeling that she’s writing just to me.  It’s like visiting with an old friend.  This journal made me want to go back and reread earlier ones, which I think I may actually do.  All of Sarton’s journals, including At Seventy, are consistent and endearing reads.

The Last Anniversary

by Liane Moriarty

Liane Moriarty continues to be my current guilty pleasure.  The Last Anniversary has all of the elements that I look for in her books: strong female protagonists, a somewhat exotic setting, and complex family relationships.  Once again, sisters and their relationships are at the core of the story.  Although the ending was pretty evident early on, the winding path that took the reader there was involved and engaging.  Male characters existed, but were definitely in support of the stronger, more dimensional females.  Without giving away any spoilers, there was an unusual twist at the end and I’m not sure how I felt about that.  It did make the story interesting and perhaps more realistic.  I listened to the Audible version and Caroline Lee's narration was great.  The Last Anniversary did not disappoint and is definitely a good listen and/or read.

Calm: 50 Mindfulness and Relaxation Exercises to De-Stress and Unwind by Dr. Arlene K. Unger

I love, love, love this book!!!  It is a beautifully illustrated little gem that I intend to keep at my bedside for a good long time.  As soon as I got it, I read through all of the 50 exercises.  They range from breathing and meditation techniques to mindful activities to incorporate into daily life.  There is a photo at the beginning of each section that can be used to enhance the activity being described.  There are also several pages that the reader can color.  I like the book so much that I’ve given it as a gift to family and friends.  This one is a keeper!  I highly recommend Calm: 50 Mindfulness and Relaxation Exercises to De-Stress and Unwind by Dr. Arlene K. Unger to anyone looking to modulate the stress of the 21^st Century.

Murder on Vacation (Molly Sutton Mysteries Book 6)

By Nell Goddin

I was so happy to return to another Molly Sutton Mystery:  Murder on Vacation.  This sixth book in the series was not a disappointment.  All of my favorite Castillac characters, including Ben, returned to help solve the mystery.  This time Molly needed more assistance than usual due to illness.  The murder and investigation involved Molly’s B&B guests and took place close to home.  As with all of the books in this series, Murder on Vacation is an engaging cozy mystery and definitely a good read!