The History of Love by Nicole Krauss

My blip about a lovely book:

Holy smokes. What took me so long to read this? It was incredible, beautifully written, totally captivating and a little odd. All things this reader (me) LOVES. Just a little bit of genius this week.

Jaclyn's (my fellow book snob friend) more eloquent way of putting it:

From the moment I read the opening pages, I was entranced by Krauss' novel. Her storytelling ability is complex and beautiful. She approaches love and loss without trite cliches and placating explanations. Reading this book reminded me why we fall in love and why it's so hard to let go when love leaves and then why it's so important to fall in love again. Truly an exceptional book--

And a few words from Ms. Krauss herself:

"He wondered if what he had taken for the richness of silence was really the poverty of never being heard."

"Desire was born early, as was regret."

The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews

I realize Katie recently reviewed another Andy Andrews book, The Butterfly Effect, but they didn't have that one at my library, so I picked up his other one, The Traveler's Gift. Just to warn you, I was feeling particularly high-browed and literary when I read this...

I feel like a jerk giving this book two stars, because the advice given is pretty well thought out, and I think this is probably Andrews' compilation of all the advice he'd like to give to his children. However, if you want to write a novel, WRITE A NOVEL. If you want to give advice, just give it and call it self-help. I felt like I was gagging down horrendously presented motivational quotes intermingled with NO style.

That said, if you need advice, this might be a good place to go.

Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews

A darling book about two cooking shows having a face-off, each trying to win syndication of their own cooking show in the "big time." Tate and Gina are the classic protagonists, hating to love each other. Set in Georgia, there is definitely a healthy dose of Southern charm and fried food tangled in with some clever moments meant to spark a completely fabricated but lovable romance.

I really enjoyed reading this, although there wasn't as much "foodie talk" as I was anticipating. It was a cute little love story, and a good break from the intellectual reading I've been doing lately. There was a bit of language, but nothing too totally abrasive. I enjoyed the story and finished the book in about four hours.

3 stars. It's a library read, for sure.

A Path Less Traveled by Cathy Bryant

Earlier this year, I reviewed this book and loved it. A couple of weeks ago, I was lucky enough to get the chance to review Cathy Bryant's new book in the series, A Path Less Traveled. The second book in the series is just as charming as the first.

Trish James is stubborn and doesn't want help from anyone, especially since everyone is trying to rescue her and her son after the tragic death of her husband. She is determined to make it on her own and prove to everyone that she can take care of herself. Her new business is failing and she is on the verge of bankruptcy, but she refuses to reveal the depth of her struggles to anyone. The only option she can see is to move her and her son away from Miller's Creek, the town she loves and the only support system she has ever known.

Andy Tyler is a successful attorney who knows the struggle it takes to build a successful life from nothing. His personal life is struggling after his heart was broken when his engagement came to a heartbreaking end the night before the wedding. Andy is looking to start over and take on a new business challenge as the town attorney for Miller's Creek. He is unprepared for the sudden instinct to protect Trish James and come to her rescue, even though she makes it clear she is determined to not be rescued.

The story and the characters is so charming and I loved it just like I loved the first book in the series. I really wish the third book would come out tomorrow! It is a great read and I recommend them for a sit by the fire book this winter.

Juliet by Anne Fortier

While reading Juliet by Anne Fortier, I never found a good way to explain this book when people asked me what I was reading. So to be completely lame, here is the synopsis from Barnes and Noble:

Twenty-five-year-old Julie Jacobs is heartbroken over the death of her beloved aunt Rose. But the shock goes even deeper when she learns that the woman who has been like a mother to her has left her entire estate to Julie’s twin sister. The only thing Julie receives is a key—one carried by her mother on the day she herself died—to a safety-deposit box in Siena, Italy.

This key sends Julie on a journey that will change her life forever—a journey into the troubled past of her ancestor Giulietta Tolomei. In 1340, still reeling from the slaughter of her parents, Giulietta was smuggled into Siena, where she met a young man named Romeo. Their ill-fated love turned medieval Siena upside-down and went on to inspire generations of poets and artists, the story reaching its pinnacle in Shakespeare’s famous tragedy.

But six centuries have a way of catching up to the present, and Julie gradually begins to discover that here, in this ancient city, the past and present are hard to tell apart. The deeper she delves into the history of Romeo and Giulietta, and the closer she gets to the treasure they allegedly left behind, the greater the danger surrounding her—superstitions, ancient hostilities, and personal vendettas. As Julie crosses paths with the descendants of the families involved in the unforgettable blood feud, she begins to fear that the notorious curse—“A plague on both your houses!”—is still at work, and that she is destined to be its next target. Only someone like Romeo, it seems, could save her from this dreaded fate, but his story ended long ago. Or did it?

Now for my views on the book....I loved it. The story was so intriguing and the main character, Julie, sucked me right in. For most of the book, the chapters alternate between modern day and the original story of Romeo and Giuletta. At first I was a little distracted and wanted to just read the modern day ones and then the original story. But, after the first few chapters, it all came together and I loved learning the tidbits as the main character discovered the history. It made me feel like I wanted to be in Siena with the character.

The book was really everything that I love in a book, history, intrigue and a bit of love. The book is going into my top 10 favorite books of the year. I highly recommend it. I loved it.

Talent Is Overrated by Geoff Colvin

My husband, oldest kid and I are doing a 52 books in 52 weeks challenge. This was my first book selection and it was a good start-up book.

Colvin effectively convinced me that I can be really, really, ridiculously good at something if I really want to be. He shares his research about deliberate practice and its effect on performance. He uses anecdotes from the lives of Chris Rock, Tiger Woods, violin virtuosos and champion chess players.

I particularly enjoyed the chapter about the age/performance ratio and the role of intelligence and memory.

That said, this is a very technical book. It isn't a story and doesn't read like one. It is meticulously written and if you're only mildly interested, you WILL get bored.