The Castaways, Elin Hilderbrand

Blurb:
Greg and Tess MacAvoy are one of four prominent Nantucket couples who count each other as best friends. As pillars of their close-knit community, the MacAvoys, Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are important to their friends and neighbors, and especially to each other. But just before the beginning of another idyllic summer, Greg and Tess are killed when their boat capsizes during an anniversary sail. As the warm weather approaches and the island mourns their loss, nothing can prepare the MacAvoy's closest friends for what will be revealed.

Once again, Hilderbrand masterfully weaves an intense tale of love and loyalty set against the backdrop of endless summer island life.

My Review:
Wow, where do I begin! This book is not your typical beach read! Its much more. Elin Hilderbrand weaves a tale of friendship, love, lust and betrayal among eight friends (all couples) who call themselves "The Castaways." They are a close knit group who share their personal lives in every way. The book opens with the drowning death of Greg and Tess MacAvoy and chapter by chapter, we are introduced to the other characters (Addison and Phoebe, the Chief and Andrea, Jeffrey and Delilah) as they tried to unravel the events that lead to that horrific day. The question forefront in my mind was: did the boat capsize in bad weather or was foul play involved?

I enjoyed the way in which the story was developed with each chapter exploring one of the friends and his/her role in the group. As I got deeper into the story, I couldn't help but feel connected to the characters and though I didn't like each one, I could empathize with their issues. Each couple had their strengths which made them unique but also had their weaknesses; which threatened to destroy their own relationships as well as their friendship as part of the Castaways.

There are countless secrets and lies weaving a thin thread throughout the story and the reader is left to slowly unravel the intricacies of their friendship. I must say I was not expecting some of the twists and turns as the story progressed. To get into more detail would be to give the story away but I will say its one of my favorite summer reads of 2009 and which you must add to your “you need to read” pile.

Thanks to the folks at Hatchette Books for sending a review copy!

Now What? 90 Days to a New Life Direction by Laura Berman Fortgang

From the back cover:
In Now What? pioneering life coach Laura Berman Fortgang shares the process that she has used so successfully with hundreds of clients to help them make major changes in their lives. Whether it's moving on from a dead-end job, discovering an entirely new creative outlet, or answering the age-old question "What am I meant to do with my life?" this book provides a clear and infinitely practical ninety-day program to discover a new direction for your life.
Readers will learn from the success stories of Berman Fortgang's clients, including:
*A woman who left her unfulfilling job to discover the rewards of doing motivational work with professional athletes.
*A high-fashion shoe executive who found more gratifying work helping adoption agencies around the world place children in permanent homes.
*A highly paid corporate consultant who became a minister.
Full of inspiring and empowering exercises and tools, Now What? guides readers--day by day and step by step--through a process that will lead to true life satisfaction and fulfillment.

My thoughts:
I tend to "shy" away from self help books as I read mostly for relaxation! This book grabbed me as soon as I read a synopsis! Its a practical guide for moving your life into a new direction. I think the timing is perfect as there are so many people who are currently unemployed and have no idea what to do next.
In the introduction, the author explains who can use the book and the ways in which the reader can address his/her concerns. She also gives example of others who have changed careers or entire lifestyles after using the principles outlined. The ensuing chapters address specific issues that may cause a "roadblock" in the reader's quest for change. Packed with practical, no-nonsense exercises, wisdom, and real-life examples you will never again ask, "Where do I go from here?".

About the Author:
Laura Berman Fortgang is a pioneer in the life-coaching profession. A renowned speaker and the president and owner of InterCoach, Inc., a full-service life-coaching business that works with individuals, small businesses, and corporations, she is also the author of The Little Book on Meaning, LIving your Best Life and Take Yourself to the Top. She lives in Montclair, New jersey. For more information please visit http://www.nowwhatcoaching.com

Thanks to Caitlin Price over at FSB Associates for sending this book!

Next on my List, Jill Smolinski

I read this book for my Book Club which I am happy to say, I have been a part of for 2 months now. Its really nice to meet over wine and food to discuss the lastest time so I am definitely looking forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday.

I won't give a long review but just to say I enjoyed reading this book because it was heart warming, light read, though it had moments of sadness. June gave Marissa a ride home from their weight watchers meeting and they ended up in an accident in which Marissa died. June found a list of things Marissa wanted to do before her 25th birthday and decided to complete the items on the list as a means of honoring Marissa's life.

Well, I don't to give the book away so you will have to read the book if you want to know whether or not June completed the list. I will say that on the journey, June definitely changed her life for the better and inspired her friends and relatives along the way.

A good weekend read!

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Well written classic but extremely depressing. Follows the story of the poor Joad Family as they left Oklahoma for California to seek a better life during the depression. It shows the hardship and oppression suffered by migrant laborers during the Great Depression. The story starts with Tom Joad who was released from prison for killing a man during a fight. We follow Tom home and along the way, he meets Casey, his former Pastor -- they continue to Tom's home together only to find his family had to move and was living with Tom's Uncle John. The rest of the book gives an account of the Joad's journey to California where they hope to find work and start a new life. Everything that can go wrong -- goes wrong. From the death of the family's dog to their Grandpa then their Grandma long the way. When they arrive in California, its to find that they flyers that advertised work, were handed out to thousands of families so wherever the Joads show up for work, there would be hundreds of families wanting to work as well. This is a sinister plot by the landowners to decrease the wages paid to pick (whether fruit or cotton) and the poor "Okies" (as they are called) had to take the job so they can buy food for the families. This book is worth the read as it gives an account of life as a Migrant Laborer as he struggles with taking care of this family while trying to keep them together. My gripe with the book is that the ending is desperately sad and the characters disillusioned!

Southern Reading Challenge 2009

Another Challenge you say? Well, I was gonna read them anyway!
Read at least 3 books based in the South. The rules are easy:

Read 3 Southern Setting Books by Southern Authors in 3 Months beginning May 15 through August 15!

Here are my choices:
The Help by Katheryn Stockett
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The Girl who stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson
Cane River by Lalita Tademy

If you are interested in this challenge, please visit http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2009/05/southern-reading-challenge-three.html to sign up.

Updates

Books, books, so many books, so little time! I gave myself the challenge of reading 50 books this year with 25 of those borrowed from my library! After joining a few yahoo groups related to books I love and book challenges, I realize I am not even close to being the book reader I aspire to be. There are people who have already read 100 books are we are not even half way though the year! I ask the question, can you read a book that quick and really enjoy it?

Well, I am not going to beat myself up over this. This week I got my first review book (an erotica) so I am thinking I may start a new blog as I just cannot see "Wanton Wager" next to...or....above Kite Runner! Just doesn't add up! We shall see!!

As for an update, I have completed perhaps 6 books from the library and currently reading Grapes of Wrath. I kept Song of Solomon too long so I have to return it. Kite Runner was so good, now I want to read A Thousand Splendid Suns (by the same author) so that's an issue as now I can't concentrate on Grapes of Wrath.

OK - Mother's Day weekend is coming up and I asked my husband to take care of the kids so I can have my peace and quiet and finish my books.

Smooches Blog Land!

The Kite Runner

Profound, thought provoking. I totally enjoyed this book! Its one I would not have read had it not been for my decision to read some bestsellers in 2009. I picked up the book on cd at the library for a 4 hour trip and got so wrapped up in the story.....the writer Khaled Hosseini, actually read it and since he is from Afghanistan, he is able to pronounce words which I may not have understood on my own. In the book, Khaled always put the english version of any word he writes in his native language .....for the benefit of the reader of course!

This story revolves around Amir, a Pushtan boy, who is the son of a wealthy merchant in Kabul, Afghanistan. Amir talks about his relationship with his dad whom he refers to as "Baba". Amir also reflects on his relationship with Hassan, A Hazara and the son of their servant Ali. Amir yearns for his father's love and respect and is jealous of Baba's seemingly love and respect of Hassan.



The book weaves a tale of relaxed childhood days spent in Kabul where Amir would go to school, return home to play with Hassan, who could not attend school as he is a servant boy. Hassan loves Amir and looks up to him and would do anything to protect him. The story is set against a backdrop of upheaval in Afghanistan and explores the fall of the monarchy in Afghanistan through invasion of the Soviet Regime, the mass exodus of refugees to Pakistan and and other countries and recounts the "chilling" rise of the Taliban.



This reads more like a "Memoir" and most of the time I think Khaled Hosseini gave an account of his own life ........rather than creating a fictional story........Its simply amazing and a must read!!