Loyal reader Vickie asked me about the books I read while on our trip so here are my quick reviews. Vickie also asked if the titles of books should be underlined and since I wasn’t sure, I checked with grammarbook.com and learned they should be shown in italics. Thanks Vickie – I learned something new and also signed up for weekly email grammar updates – something very essential for us Grammar Police!
1. The Book of Joe by Johnathan Tropper – rating = A-. Very good read about the main character returning to his home town for a family issue after he has written a successful novel slamming the place. Good writing style.
2. American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld – rating = A. This book is clearly a take on the lives of George and Laura Bush but has great insight into the weight of being First Lady while also being a wife and mother. It probably helps that I’m more Republican than Democrat! I loved the author’s first book, Prep School, and like her style.
3. Divorced From The Mob by Andrea Giovino – rating = B-/C+. I was tempted to not finish this book but I did and it was okay. Certainly not my favorite Mafia book but still interesting although the author downplayed her role in all the bad stuff!
4. Testimony by Anita Shreve – rating = A. Loved, loved, loved it. She’s one of my favorite authors anyway but really outdid herself with this one by the way she told it from so many points of view without revealing too much along the way. Highly recommend.
5. One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell – rating = C. Another book I almost didn’t finish – can’t really say I “read” it all – more like I “skimmed” the last half because it was so shallow. Not even great brain candy from the author of Sex and The City.
6. Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer by Philip Carlo – rating = A. True story about Richard Kuklinski and were he still alive, I wouldn’t even think of mentioning him because he’d track me down and kill me. This guy was one really bad dude if even half of what he reported is true. Written by the same author as Gaspipe which was another Mafia favorite of mine. Only read this one if you like true, gory crime.
I’m now looking for my next good read – any suggestions?
Of course I had to sign up for my weekly emails from grammarbook.com! How fun! As for a new read, you can borrow Honor Thy Father when I’m done with it. Until then, you’re on your own.
Thanks Anne. So tell me more about the plot of Testimony. And by the way.. .curious about your interest in the mob/mafia related reading….somethign we should know Anne?
I headed to grammarbook.com right now.