Helen's Reads » Book Buzz

No One Would Listen

helen — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:50:51 +0000

The Christian Science Monitor just published a list of 10 new recession slang words. One of these words is

Madoff’d, v. To get ripped off in a particularly offensive fashion. Sample sentence: “Oh man, that cab driver totally Madoff’d me. I gave him a $20 and he only gave me change for a $10.”

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Harry Markopolos, the Boston derivatives analyst that tried to warn the SEC about Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart last night to promote his book NO ONE WOULD LISTEN: A true financial thriller. What I find incredable is that no one at the SEC has been fired over the Madoff mess. Unbelievable!

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

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Harry Markopolos

www.thedailyshow.com

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Listen Up David Sedaris Fans

helen — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:00:15 +0000

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Just in time for holiday giving is a new audio only Sedaris title which features highlights from his latest tour. Since the audio book doesn’t officially hit store shelves until November 24th, I have provided the link to the publishers site where you can listen to a little sneak preview. For any of you unfamiliar with Sedaris’ self deprecating humor, his stories are often about his middle class upbringing and/or his current life in France with his boyfriend, Hugh.

David Sedaris: Live For Your Listening Pleasure

Bonnet Books

helen — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:40:41 +0000

Amish romance, or bonnet books, are apparently a hot trend right now. According to this front page story in the Wall Street Journal, these G rated romances are top sellers in the religious fiction genre. Two interesting facts, most of these G rated novels are written by non-Amish women and the U.S. Amish population has more than doubled in the past 18 years, largely because of high birth rates. Reading by candlelight is proving to be very romantic.

Here’s the book trailer for A Cousin’s Promise by Wanda Brunstetter.

Janeites Beware

helen — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:36:04 +0000

I must admit, when I first heard of Seth Grahame-Smith’s satire Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, I didn’t get it. In fact, I’m still trying to get my mind around the appeal of Zombies, Ninjas and Mr Darcey…all in one book. But for all you fans (the book is into its sixth printing), Quirk books, publisher of P&P&Z, is coming out September 15th with a followup: Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Ben H. Winters. Enjoy the book trailer. It’s hysterical.

One Divine Tale by Sarah Dunant

helen — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:10:27 +0000

I was lucky enough to snag an ARC (advanced readers copy) of Sarah Dunant’s latest novel Sacred Hearts to take with me on vacation last week. This is the third in this historical fiction trilogy (The Birth of Venus, In The Company of the Courtesan) that revolves around the different lives and fates of women of the Renaissance period. With still a 100 pages to go, Sacred Hearts is turning out to be my favorite. The plot is seductive (parents of a love struck 16 year old girl sell her to the church against her will) and the setting is divine (the convent of Santa Caterina). The below trailer is part of a promotional interview with the author where she sets up the story line. Historical fiction fan or not…get ready to be hooked.

Click here to purchase this book from your favorite independent bookseller.

Let The Summer Reading Begin

helen — Thu, 21 May 2009 00:16:52 +0000

For those of you escaping for a long Memorial Day weekend, you will be happy to know that the following books are out in paperback. Easy to pack and easy to read. Enjoy!

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Audition by Barbara Walters. The veteran TV journalist claims she tells it like it was. Her back story, love affairs and career highlights are many. Get comfy. This memoir weighs in at nearly 600 pages.

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The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Riuz Zafron. This was a book seller favorite when it first came out in 2005. This mystery/love story (but oh, so much more) set in Barcelona in 1945, is about a book seller and his son and a rare copy of a mysterious book. Read it now, then scoop up the second of the series, The Angel’s Game, due out next month.

DIY Weddings

helen — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:32:41 +0000

Wedding season is nigh…and according to The Washington Times, the average cost of a wedding these days is still a whopping $19,000. For all you creative Do-It-Yourself types trying to hold down the costs, look no further than IACP winner Do It For Less! Weddings by Denise Vivaldo. According to the press materials, the book addresses everything a novice wedding planner needs to know, including information and insider tips on master timelines, budgets, invitations, locations, catering, cakes, flowers, food preparation and recipes, and more. What’s the one big no no for cutting costs? Opting for a cash bar. Guests have already laid out enough money just to attend. So crank up the IPod and let’s dance.

Click here to purchase this book from your favorite Indie Bookseller

Barbie Turns 50

helen — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:44:49 +0000

Barbie turns 50 this month and behind every great story now a days lies a book, or in this case, according to Newsweek Magazine, two dueling biographies. Barbie and Ruth by Robin Gerber and Toy Monster: The Big, Bad World of Mattel by Jerry Oppenheimer offer up two different versions as to who should get the credit for Barbie’s birthright. Was it Ruth Handler, founder of Mattel, that deserves all the credit for spotting a Bild-Lilli doll (the inspiration for Barbie) while on a trip to Europe? Or was it Jack Ryan, head of research and development for Mattel, who Oppenheimer calls the “Father of Barbie”? Whichever book you read, the struggle for credit eventually led to Ryan being pushed out of the company. Apparently, no glass ceilings there.

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On a lighter note, I want to thank my friend Ann for emailing me the following Barbie Turns 50 image with the caption “feel better?” I love my friends.

For Jodi Picoult Fans, It’s March Madness

helen — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 01:28:04 +0000

Lots happening this month in Jodi Picoult (PEA-koe) land. On Monday, USA Today ran a great profile piece on her idyllic sounding family life in Hanover, New Hampshire; Handle With Care, her 16th novel was released on Tuesday; and the movie version of My Sister’s Keeper starring Cameron Diaz and Abigail Breslin (Fans are apparently hopping mad about the new ending) is due out June 26th. If you want more, you can catch Picoult on her exhaustive 26 city tour which began on March 3rd. Whew!

Bridge Themed Whodunnits

helen — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:41:58 +0000

If anyone told me when I first signed up for bridge lessons that I would sit in a classroom for 8 weeks and read about playing more than I actually played…I would have said ‘no way’. Now, some two years later, I am totally hooked on the game. It comes as no surprise to me then that this month’s issue of Bridge Bulletin reviews ‘bridge themed’ mystery/thrillers. After all, what’s that old saying, “Once an addict….” Unfortunately, www.acbl.org does not have an online link that allows you to read the reviews for yourself. In a nutshell, reviewers gave A ratings to Deadly Endplay by Ken Allan and Double Elimination by Jim Priebe. B ratings went to The 28th Amendment by Neal Rechtman; Clubbed to Death by Shirley Presberg and Unkindest Cut by Honor Hartman.