Average Reader

So close, but not enough

We all know I love historical fiction.  My obvious preference cannot be hidden.  I am a sucker for anything set any time but now and we all know I am a big sucker for Paris.  So when I read the teaser for Mademoiselle Victorine by Debra Finerman I had high hopes.
Sadly those hopes weren't quite realized.  Finerman is a good writer and you can tell she knows Paris.  She knows the history of Paris.  What I felt she didn't truly know was her character, Victorine Laurent. 
I never felt she actually knew how Victorine would react or what actions she would take.  This lack of closeness really kept me distant from Victorine and therefore, distant from the story. 
I couldn't figure out why a writer would write about a character they didn't not know until I read the Author's Note at the back of the book and I realized that Finerman had attempted something I consider a very difficult aspect of historical fiction, creating a fictional character based on real people and then weaving that character into the lives of real people. According to Finerman she borrowed aspects of Countess Virginia de Castiglione and Victorine Meurent to create Victorine Laurent.  She then wove Laurent back into Edouard Manet's life. 
I will, of course, keep trying to get close to Victorine Laurent so I can truly experience the story but I think this is one story that will always keep me removed and distant.
Try it out for yourself and if you unwrap the mystery of Mademoiselle Victorine, please share the secret key that will open up that world.

Visit the author's website to learn more.

And so now it is done

Raise your glasses in a toast of our time with Harry Potter.  Oh, I know we still have the movies to come but a movie doesn't allow you the close relationship you get with a book.  We received our copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on Saturday and I actually finished early Monday morning (it would have been a lot earlier but I had to actually spend some time being a mom) but I waited until today to comment because I did not want to come out of the story.
The magic of Harry Potter has been with us and this last book continued Rowling's record of an all-consuming story.  There have been very few books that I would gladly buy multiple copies but I have gone out and bought another copy after I lent one of my Harry Potter books out and it never returned.
Why have we all fallen in love with Harry?  Is it because he is an orphan?  A gawky, kid who just tries and gets heroism forced on him?  I can't even really define what made the books mean so much to me, all I know is I like them and I am gleefully waiting until my daughter is old enough to start sharing them with me.
If you can't tell, I really enjoyed Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  I did have a difficult time processing some of the scenes.  Mostly it was because the action and words were frantic and I think I got excited and was trying to read them to fast to fully follow.  Once my husband has read it, I am going to re-read it just to make sure I understand everything and fully experienced it.

*Eta: So even though I had titled this as "And so now it is done" a brief foray into the real world has allowed me to discover that perhaps it isn't truly done.  According to Rowling in an interview, she may write an encyclopedia/Hogwarts history type book to give us all more information on some of the characters.  Of course even though we are all dying to continue I suppose we can be patient.  I mean the woman has been busting her knuckles creating a whole world from scratch.  Enjoy the vacay.  We will all be patiently waiting for the great return. Rowling interview

It's here! It's here!

Hurray! My copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is here! My husband saw the mailman putting the mail in the community box and stopped to get it.  He had to show his ID to get it.  According to the postman, they are not allowed to leave the book on the door step because they are being stolen.  When was the last time a book was so desired it was stolen from people's door steps. 
I will have a review up ASAP!

Welcome Stephenie Meyer

While wandering through the book section of my local super store I half-heartedly hoped for something to jump off the shelves.  Lately I have felt a dry spell in the reading department.  It seems like so long since a new author has really made me want to spend the money on a book.  With the recent addition to our family it seems that most of our money is spent on some new baby entertainment.  So when I saw two pale hands holding a vibrant apple, I was curious.  
Twilight, the first book by Stephenie Meyer, looked interesting.  The first page sounded good so I spent the money.
It was worth every penny.  Intriguing characters, if slightly predictable, Twilight quickly sucked me in to it's rainy folds and wrapped around me.  The wording is simple and the story goes down quickly.  Perfect for small bite reading during nap times.
After further research I found that this book has been categorized as written for teens, which explains the straightforward writing style, but I don't think it should be pigeon-holed into just a teen story.  I am far from teen-aged and recently, I have been fairly difficult to please.  That should help others try this on for size.
I recommend reading it on a rainy day, with a good cup of Earl Grey and lazy jazz in the background.  Oh and pajamas and a cozy blanket are a must. 
Well my time is up branch out a little and enjoy.

Visit the author's site.  I did and she cracked me up.  Very human.