I just started reading My Family and Other Animals by George Durrell.  It's basically a memoir of his childhoold living in Corfu.  This really appeals to me because I have always wanted to travel to Greece.  Durrell was a famous naturalist and his descriptions of the plants and tiny inhabitants of Corfu are keeping me mesmerized.  I can almost smell the flowers!

Yesterday was a strange day.  Although the weather outside was almost balmy, my internal weather was definitely overcast. I believe that kind of day has a function for me, as it reinvigorates my need to reflect, look inside for answers to the things that are bothering me, and then renew my efforts to connect with others.  My mood instantly improved when I spent a few hours singing with my students in the late afternoon. Not every day is ordained to be a fount of creativity!

Next Time Lucky by Siggy Buckley reminds me of a Sex in the City for the middle-aged adventuress.  The author brings her expertise as a matchmaker to her own search for love on the Internet.  She recounts many hilarious, although somewhat salacious episodes.  The thoughts, opinions, and actions of the narrator, Cherie, are intriguing for their absolute honesty.  As a reader, I found myself reading rapidly as I hoped she would find true love, but occasionally I felt cast into the unwilling role of voyeur.  Blush, blush...possibly my prudish nature is showing! Still, if the reader is willing to share a room with lovers, she will be entertained by Ms. Buckley's approach to finding the ideal man.  Male readers may also learn some important lessons about creating a more honest profile on dating sites, although I am a bit concerned that Cherie's lovemaking standards might intimidate some of them. Woe to any shy creatures who dare to tread these pages!

Ms. Buckley's writing style is conversational...at times you might feel as if she is  confiding her deepest thoughts about men and love to you, the reader.  She includes a smattering of German and Irish expressions which were fun to read.  However, at least in the ebook, I felt the book might have benefited from the attentions of an editor.

In sum, the book is a fun romp through the Internet and through many bedrooms.  However, its appeal will be most appreciated by those who are sophisticated in the art of love and who enjoy vivid descriptions of verbal and physical interactions among strangers.  And you know who you are!

Let me start by saying I am a total chocaholic, so the title Chocolicious intrigued me from the outset.  I whole-heartedly empathize with the idea that eating chocolate is the cure for most of what ails me.  That said, this novel left me a bit hungry for more of the soothing flavor of chocolate and possibly for recipes for the chocolate treats mentioned by the author.

Blair Nightingale, the main character, finds herself in an untenable position when her young husband dies right before she gives birth to their first child.  After having completely relied on him to provide for her and to define her role in life, she must begin her life again, but this time as a single mother. Along the way, she finds a few allies, some in unexpected quarters.  She struggles to find romance again, and chocolate comes to the rescue.

Although the plot was interesting enough for me to finish this book, there were times when I frankly felt a little bored.  In particular, a lot of the dialogues were unrealistic and contained cliché phrases. Also, I felt that many things were spelled out for me as the reader, and I would have preferred to infer them from observing the scenes.

The main characters in the book are likable, although I would have appreciated a bit more depth in their development.  Sometimes, my lack of understanding of who they really were interfered with my acceptance of what appeared to be the impulsive actions that drove the plot.

That said, I would recommend the book to those who like romance novels  and are looking for a good girl meets boy just in the nick of time story .The plot is interesting and reinforces the values of family, love, and chocolate.

Waiting on Hope is an excellent depiction of one woman's struggle to rebuild her life after a horrifying, violent assault that has long-reaching implications.  The main character, Lexie Dodson, becomes suicidal after a violent rape that occurs in her apartment, perpetrated by someone she knew and trusted.  Lexie is a likable character and Souders does a terrific job drawing the reader into the her psyche, displaying a deep understanding of the issues facing a woman after such a horrendous event and also the way that she might rebuild her feelings of safety and love in the aftermath.

I particularly liked the female characters in this book.  They were strong, with a good blend of independence, ambition, and need for love,but flawed in understandable ways.  On the other hand, the male characters were a bit less realistic, either really evil or wondrously perfect. In spite of that, I did enjoy the romance between Lexie and her high school sweetheart, Elliot.

There were not many surprises in the plot, but I feel that the story is still compelling, mostly because of the investment I had in the main character.  I found that I really did care about what happened to her and was cheering for her to survive her ordeal and eventually to find the strength to find meaning in her life after her rape.

I have learned about Gerald Durrell later than many readers and animal lovers.  I am so thankful that I did hear about him.  I just finished reading and laughing through his book, My Family and Other Animals. Let me start by saying that my home is filled with animals.  Currently, we share out house with two dogs and two cats, but at times we have also hosted frogs, guinea pigs, and rabbits.  Our back yard is often visited by red foxes, beavers, raccoons, and deer.

I tell you this about myself because I detect a kindred spirit in the young Gerald as he recounts his adventures in Corfu where he amasses an impressive collection of pets.  Durrell’s genius lies in his ability to make readers feel they know the members of his families as well as the personalities of the animals he encounters.  In addition, his writing is so beautifully descriptive without becoming cumbersome.

I heartily recommend this book to observers of animals and families.  It is highly entertaining and I plan to read whatever else he has written.

The Skin on Water is a beautifully written book about an ambitious young Hungarian boy and his first love, a more sophisticated woman trapped in a loveless arranged marriage. War-torn Hungary becomes almost another character in the book, as its submission to Nazi control poisons all that is beautiful in the country: its music, its food, romance, family loyalty, and friendship. Although this is a book that demonstrates the devastation of World War II, it accomplishes that goal without referring to battles or to the complications of political allegiances. The devastation it discusses is the effect of causeless hatred on the human heart.

Each of the characters was multifaceted. Even the most villainous betrayed vulnerability or the capacity to make better choices. The plot was intriguing through the end of the book and I couldn't stop reading it! Although I finished it in a couple of days, I will remember the main characters, Eva and Zeno for a long time!

The Skin on Water is a beautifully written book about an ambitious young Hungarian boy and his first love, a more sophisticated woman trapped in a loveless arranged marriage. War-torn Hungary becomes almost another character in the book, as its submission to Nazi control poisons all that is beautiful in the country: its music, its food, romance, family loyalty, and friendship. Although this is a book that demonstrates the devastation of World War II, it accomplishes that goal without referring to battles or to the complications of political allegiances. The devastation it discusses is the effect of causeless hatred on the human heart.

Each of the characters was multifaceted. Even the most villainous betrayed vulnerability or the capacity to make better choices. The plot was intriguing through the end of the book and I couldn't stop reading it! Although I finished it in a couple of days, I will remember the main characters, Eva and Zeno for a long time!