Case of the Missing Servant

In all honesty I was hoping to read "Girl Who Played With Fire" next, but the $15.95 price tag for the paperback at BN left me gasping for air. I'm too used to free books and I really need to get over it. However, I found a great alternative (free!) from Simon & Schuster. I've been eyeing this lovely cover for a while now (I probably have a few more copies at my desk) and since my original plan didn't work out I've embarked on "The Case of the Missing Servant: A Vish Puri Mystery" by Tarquin Hall. It's a mystery novel based in India and so far I'm liking it. All of the characters have nicknames, unfortunately no cool Swede names, and our hero is called "Chubby", though his real name is Vish Puri. I think it will be an interesting mystery and at the very least a little peek into India.

Also, there's a second one that just came out! Oh, how I love a good series. The next is: Case of the Man Who Died Laughing. And on second thought, this might be a good book for high schoolers?

Lynda's Work

I just found this fascinating new blog about this lady painter from SC! I think you all will love it... click me, please?

The Elegance of the Hedgehog...

It's true that on the surface a hedgehog does not appear to be elegant (thank you Mere for the visual of Tiggy and Winkle consuming their young) but The Elegance of the Hedgehog is indeed an elegant book. I am over halfway through this very intelligent novel about life in a posh Parisian apartment building. While there are no dead bodies in the cupboards of this French apartment building, there is a concierge, a bright twelve year old girl and a new Japanese neighbor. It's a work destined to make you appreciate your liberal arts education and a well-turned phrase!

Voila, a book that makes existentialism fun!

Dragon Tattoo

I'm going to review a book that has already been reviewed twice. Both times by Auntie G. You can refer back to her posts here:

January 5, 2009
September 7, 2009

Anyway, I finally got around to reading The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and I share the same sentiments as Auntie G. To quote her post on January 5th "Great plots, engaging characters and lots of Swedish names and locals." In fact, one of my favorite things about the book is that it takes place in Sweden. Seems so exotic... you can also tell that the writer, Stieg Larsson, has a lot to say about politics there. In fact, I am not afraid to admit that I have skimmed over a few parts.

I'm not much of a crime-reader but I do like this one and can't wait to read the next!

Hm, I don't know why my book has the cover shown above, but it does. I was really hoping for the neat green/yellow one. In fact, if you would like to see more of this designer's excellent work click here.

The Madonnas of Leningrad

While several of the books we have been reading for book club have been, well, a bit sorry, and SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT AS ME was "controversial" (not to me), we seem off to a good start on our April selection here. I am happily absorbed in The Madonnas because for one, it is well written with good character development and without an excess of words. Secondly it is about 3 of my interests: art history, WWII and the Pacific Northwest. The narrative flows back and forth between the present day and the 900 day siege of Leningrad which mirrors the mind of the main character Marina who is experiencing the beginnings of Alzheimer's. The priceless masterpieces in the Hermitage are packed and stored for the siege by Marina and in the present day they are a refuge in her mind. I have read 55 pages of 228 and while I find it hard to put it down, I think it is the kind of book I want to read slowly, relish and look up the works of art that Marina is describing. The author Debra Dean, grew up reading Louisa May Alcott, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Jane Austen and the Brontes. Sounds like a Selby/Mathews kind of author (but does she like Harry Potter, Twilight and The Shopaholic??

My new Signature

This is my new signature at work. (It's a lie)







Learn More Here:
http://promo.simonandschuster.com/littlebee/