Left Neglected by Lisa Genova

Lisa Genova is the author of a riveting book about Alzheimer's called "Still Alice" which I read last year and still think about periodically. I can say that I will also be thinking about "Left Neglected" in the same way months from now.

The title is a "play on words" in my opinion. Our herioine Sarah Nickerson is a 30 something yuppie living the fast life in Boston, Massachessetts. She is married to Bob and has 3 children that keep her busy as well as a very demanding job. In many ways Sarah has "left neglected" areas of her life. She doesn't get to enjoy her family or the second home she and Bob have because she is so busy working to pay for it all.

Fate takes a hand in changing Sarah's perception of the world. On a rainy day She is involved in a traffic accident which leaves her with a serious head injury. When she wakes up 8 days later she finds out she suffers from "left neglect". It is a common condition for people who have suffered damage to the right hemisphere of the brain. Sarah's brain doesn't recognize anything that is on the left side of her. "Left" doesn't exist for her. As a result of this she must spend time in a rehabilitation facility to help her cope with her loss.

I had never heard of such a condition before and it was so interesting to read Sarah's story and find out how this affects her ordinary life. Being forced to concentrate her thoughts on getting well makes her realize that her life has been out of her control for a long time. She also starts to question the life style she and her family have had up until now. She knows if she doesn't return to work soon that they won't be able to afford the style of living they've had. She starts to think that this might not be a bad thing.

I couldn't stop reading Sarah's story because she and her family were such likeable people and you wanted things to end well for them. I won't tell you how it all ends. Read and find out on your own. You definately won't be sorry that you did.

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

I have enjoyed reading Jodi Picoult's books previously and this one is no exception. In fact I'd say it was one of the best that she has done.

Picoult always has interesting characters and situations in her work. In this one the subject of Asperger's syndrome is central to the story. Jacob Hunt is a teenage boy who suffers from this. He has a younger brother Theo who feels less important because their single mother Emma spends most of her time dealing with Jacob's issues.

The story takes off when Jacob is accused of the murder of his tutor Jess, a graduate student who Jacob is close to. The book keeps you guessing as to what really happened. Jess has a boyfriend, Mark, who admits to shoving Jess around. Jacob's brother Theo has his own secret concerning Jess.

What I particularily liked was how the book was written. It was told in alternating chapters of Jacob, Emma, Theo , Oliver-Jacob's attorney and Rich the detective that is assigned to Jess's murder case. At one point it appeared that the only ones without a motive for Jess's murder were Emma and Oliver.

In addition to being a "mystery" there is a lot of information about Asperger's syndrome and how hard it is for people who suffer from it to function in society. I do have to warn you, if you start to read this book plan on staying up late to finish it. As the book reached the climax I couldn't put it down and also wished it didn't have to end. Great read!

Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones by Ann Head

I read this book when I was a teenager and loved it then. I found it was back in print and couldn't resist taking it home and giving it another read .

The story takes place in the early 1960's in a little town in Georgia. July and Bo Jo are dating and find themselves in a predicament. After prom night July finds herself pregnant. What will she and Bo Jo do? She's only 16 and he's 17 and they didn't plan for their lives to turn out this way.

Even though the book is a little dated the basic themes are still relevant. The author captured quite well the thoughts and feelings that teenagers would have had when they found theirselves in this predicament.

When I read it in high school I predominately related to the teen agers. I was interested to see how the adults were presented now that I am a parent myself. I confess they didn't seem too nice to me, but then again this book took place during a time period that was much more conservative and roles for men and women were more rigidly enforced.

All in all I still liked July and Bo Jo's story. During the course of the story you see them mature and take charge of their own destiny. It's a bittersweet story but one you won't be sorry that you took time to explore.

I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flagg

I have been a long time fan of Fannie Flagg and her latest book doesn't disappoint.

Maggie Fortenberry is 60, a former Miss Alabama, and has a problem. She feels that she has nothing to look forward to. in life. She's still pretty but she knows it's a matter of time before that beauty fades, her real estate company is limping along in recession time Birmingham, Alabama. So what does Maggie decide to do? Her solution to all her problems is to commit suicide. There's just one snag to her solution. Ironically, life keeps intruding on Maggie's exit plans. It's all of the "intrusions" that keep her from "leaving" and makes this story a page turner. You keep wondering does she or doesn't she go through with her plans? How will the story end for Maggie and her friends? If you enjoy stories that make you feel like the characters are your own friends or that the author is writing about your hometown then you will be charmed by Fannie Flaggs latest effort.

Peace and Plenty by Sarah Ban Breathnach

I have repeatedly read all of Sarah Ban Breathnach's books and was pleased when I read that she had a new book out. I made a special "book store run" in order to try and find it.

This book runs along the lines of her hugely popular "Simple Abundance" book that was a "household word" in the 1990's. I am enjoying it but there's "just a little something off" about it, and it leaves me a little dissapointed.

This book's main topic is money and is a timely issue during these recession times. The basic premise is "What do you do when you have somehow lost your money?" I was amazed that the hugely wealthy Ban Breathnach could find herself in this predicament. I was also amazed at how honest she was about it. She took a huge leap of faith by letting her readers in on her own personal monetary woes. I admire her for that.

My only criticism of the book is that it takes off slowly. I read a little too much about her plight. It was hard for "middle class" me to understand how "hugely wealthy" Sarah could let her fortune trickle away. I know that part of it is due to a divorce but her discussion of her spending habits made "bargain hunter me" turn pale. Having given that criticism I do give her credit for her positive thinking about this experience and will always read anything she writes. This particular book is about her 'rags to riches to rags again" story. I have no doubt that she will soon be on the road to riches again. She also gives positive, doable actions that anyone can use to improve their financial well being.

Oogy by Larry Levin

I read a review about this book and was pleasantly surprised when I found it available on our shelf at the library. If you enjoy "animal stories" along the lines of "Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched The World" by Vicki Myron or any of the books written by James Herriot you will enjoy"Oogy".

The story revolves around a rescued part pit bull that had been involved in dog fights. Oogy was a dog that wouldn't fight and as a result was used as a "bait dog" to sharpen the predatory skills of the more agressive dogs. The book gives a lot of detail about the dog fighting world and its' close ties to the drug underworld.

Oogy was found during a raid and was taken to an ASPCA anima shelter. He was seriously injured and was missing an ear and part of his jaw. The vets couldn't decide whether to try to save the dog. Their reasoning was the dog would be so grossly disfigured that it would probably be unadoptable. A shelter worker saw that this particular dog even being badly hurt had a wonderful, trusting personality. Reluctantly the vets operate on Oogy and miraculously the dog survives.

The Levin family visits the animal shelter when they make the sad decision to have their ailing, elderly cat put to sleep. During the course of the visit the family sees Oogy being walked by one of the shelter workers. One thing leads to another and the Levin family adopts him.

The story takes off from there and it is a good one. If you enjoy stories about animals or stories that have themes of loyalty, family and compassion then you'll surely enjoy Oogy's story. The cover picture of the book is irresistable. I dare you not to like "Oogy".

First list of books to be read for 2011

I am always on the look out for good books to read. I like to wander the library shelves for a few minutes each day and see what is available. The books pictured above are the ones that I found yesterday during a "quick look". I admit I initially look at bookcovers. Then if I like the cover I read the inside description. Then I decide if it "makes my list" or not. These did.

For 2011 I have sorta/kinda decided to try to read at least 100 books. That's only about 9 books a month right? Surely I can do that. We'll see. I make no promises but it's kind of fun to have the idea in the back of my head that I have challenged myself to that number. Another thing I'd like to do this year is read books from genres that I haven't tried before such as Science Fiction, Inspirational fiction and biographies. I'll let you know how it works out.

"Peace and Plenty" by Sarah Ban Breathnach

I purchased this book as soon as I heard of it's publication. I have been a big fan of Ban Breathnach's books since she wrote "Simple Abundance" back in the 1990's.

I haven't finished it yet but I wanted to blog about it, because I have conflicting opinions about it. I have alway's enjoyed the writing "style" of these books and this one doesn't disappoint in that respect. Her folksy, friendly tone of voice is still present.

What I am finding a little difficult to digest are the passages in the book that sound a little "whiny" for loss of another word to use. I think maybe I thought Sarah Ban Breathnace was "perfect" and to read her writing about her financial reverses and divorce was a little jarring. I should probably cut her a little slack because after all she's human like the rest of us and we all make mistakes. I suppose I was just disappointed on her behalf that she wasn't "carrying on in her usual simply abundant way." I hope for better times to come her way that that she will continue to write . I will let you know if my opinions about this book change after I finish it.