2014 was an interesting year in reading. According to my Goodreads reading challenge, I read 56 books. Many were read for the “Mysteries From Every State Challenge,” three (Carthage, Shutter Island, The Round House) made it to my top 10. The books are not in any particular order. Moloka’i, Alan Brennert This novel was […]
Tag Archives: literature
July
02
Nothing is What it Seems in Massachusetts: Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
posted by lasesana
***** Harper Torch, 2003 ISBN 038073186X (ISBN13: 9780380731862) Part of the Mysteries from Every State challenge This book is exactly what I love about mystery novels. I almost wish I hadn’t seen the movie before I read the book; no matter how much I love Leo, the movie did not do this story justice—in a […]
June
12
“Pretty” Rhode Island: The Sculptor, Gregory Funaro
posted by lasesana
**1/2 Pinnacle, 2009 ISBN 0786022124 (ISBN13: 9780786022120) Part of the Mysteries from Every State Challenge This is the kind of book where the idea was better than the actual story. “The Sculptor” is a serial killer who disposes of his victims to replicate famous statues by Michelangelo by using real body parts for his creations. […]
June
09
Fear and Loathing in Colorado: The Shining, Stephen King
posted by lasesana
***** Hodder & Stoughton, 1977 ISBN 0450040186 (ISBN13: 9780450040184) Part of the Mysteries from Every State Challenge I can’t believe it took me so long to read this book, especially because I love the movie so much. However, no matter how much I like Kubrick, the book is much better. In the spirit of full […]
June
02
Big Questions in New York: Carthage, Joyce Carol Oates
posted by lasesana
***** Fourth Estate, 2014 ASIN B00DJHKGUK Part of the Mysterious USA Mystery reading challenge Sometimes there are periods when nothing you read impresses you—and then a book comes along that just blows you away by the sheer talent of the writer. Some novels touch readers through story; others do it through language or plot construction. […]
May
07
Sinister Missouri: The Weight of Blood, Laura McHugh
posted by lasesana
Spiegel & Grau, 2014 ISBN 0812995201 (ISBN13: 9780812995206) ***3/4 Part of the Mysteries from Every State Reading Challenge “If the wolf wants in, he’ll find a way.” Laura McHugh’s The Weight of Blood takes place in Henbane, a fictional town in the Ozarks. I was genuinely surprised at how much I liked this book, and it […]
May
01
Injustice in North Dakota: The Round House, Louise Erdrich
posted by lasesana
***** Harper Collins, 2012 ISBN 0062065246 (ISBN13: 9780062065247) Part of the Mysteries from Every State Reading Challenge The Round House dealt with a lot of serious issues, from Native American rights to rape to revenge. Beautifully written and expertly told, Louise Erdrich’s novel was perfect for the Mysteries from Every State Reading Challenge. The entire book […]
March
18
Pig Pickin’ and Square Dancing in North Carolina: Bootlegger’s Daughter, Margaret Maron
posted by lasesana
Thorndike Press, 1992 ISBN 0786223278 (ISBN13: 9780786223275) ***1/2 Part of the Mysteries from Every State Reading Challenge Bootlegger’s Daughter was exactly what I expected it to be and perfect for this challenge. Maron’s fictional Colleton County is what the author believes small-town North Carolina to be, and with it, she paints a picture of the state, […]
March
09
Too Bright to Hear Too Loud to See, Juliann Garey
posted by lasesana
***** Soho Press, 2012 ISBN 161695129X (ISBN13: 9781616951290) WASHINGTON, March 9, 2014—I usually do not read books about mental illness, but this was on sale on Kindle one day, and, given the glowing reviews, I thought I’d see what all the hype was about. I absolutely LOVED this book. It was heartfelt, beautifully written, witty, […]
January
24
A snapshot of 1980s south Florida: LaBrava, Elmore Leonard
posted by lasesana
Harper Torch, 1983 ISBN 0060512237 (ISBN13: 9780060512231) Part of the Mysterious USA Reading Challenge Having spent a little of my childhood in early 1980s Miami—I am Colombian, after all—this novel brought back a lot of memories and highlighted how much Miami has changed since then. Elmore Leonard’s LaBrava perfectly captures a time and a place, […]
lasesana 