Darlene Myers

I have just finished the Millenium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson – The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest.  It is a shame and a tragedy that Stieg Larsson will never write another book.

Stieg Larsson died in 2004 at the age of 50 of a sudden heart attack.   He had no idea how popular his books would become, they weren’t published until after his death.    He wrote in the evenings, when he got home from work. 

This is the man behind Lisbeth Salander, an unlikely heroine who will have everyone cheering.   I have read that at the age of 15, Stieg Larsson witnessed a gang rape of a young girl, and felt guilty because he was unable to help.  The girl’s name was Lisbeth.  What a fitting tribute to this woman, although I must warn future readers, the sexual violence in this book can be extremely disturbing at times.

It is thought that he had a fourth book started and hopefully, his long time partner Eva, will somehow find a way to bring that to light, and pay tribute to the man she was with for such a long time.

Enjoy the reading, well worth it.

Darlene

  Most of you know I am a voracious reader.  And while I realize some of you aren’t, if you are going to read one book this summer, make it ‘Happiness is Calling You by Maureen Namirembe.  I hope this is a wake-up call for many people.  When you read what this woman went through in Uganda, wars, losing her mother, losing family and friends, running for her life and not being captured – you’ll think twice before you complain about something petty or trivial.

This woman, who now lives in Montreal, has the most amazing positive outlook on life.   I remember in the book, the author recounts of a story of how soldiers would catch and kidnap people and force them into the army.  They were chasing her one day in a truck and she ran and ran.  Her legs started to hurt and she thought they were going to catch her.  If she was caught, she would have been raped, beaten and probably not seen again by her family.  But she ran, and she got away – so when this lady tells you to stop worrying about the small stuff, I found myself really paying attention.

I thought it was great advice to give on not worrying about things that may or may not happen.   When a friend of hers asked her one day ‘Can I be happier than this, or is it greedy of me to expect more”?  Maureen didn’t hesitate when she answered ‘Of course you can!” 

I feel the greatest tribute I can give to the author of this book, Maureen Namirembe is to share the book.  And that’s exactly what I did this week when I finished it.  I gave it to a colleague and co-worker who feels for some reason she doesn’t deserve to be happy.

Enjoy time to read – it’s one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves.

Darlene

With the Summer Season upon us, many people like to take the time to read.  I have read a few good books lately that I wanted to share with you. 

Number 1 on the list is Harlan Coben and Long Lost.  I have read every single one of his books, and I love them all.  But my favorites have to be the Myron Bolitar series featuring the unforgettable cast of characters (my favorite being Win) This book should only be started if you have nothing else that needs to be done that day, because once you start, you won’t be able to put it down. 

I just finished Erich Segal’s book, Only Love.  I believe this came out in 1997 from the author of the Love Story, however, I only just read it.  And it was an easy to read good book.   Great summer reading.  I may have to pick up more of his books, knowing of course he passed away in January of this year.  Oh, by the way, they made a movie of this book, but I haven’t seen it yet.

And I’ll finish this up with Linwood Barclay ‘Too Close to Home”.  First Linwood Barclay book I have read, and I can’t wait to get my hands on more.  I LOVED it!  On the cover of this book, it said ‘if you love Harlan Coben, you’ll love Linwood Barclay” and they were right.  Couldn’t put it down.  Have you read Linwood Barclay yet?  If you have, please share with me your favorite book.

Gotta go – Enjoy the read

Darlene

** Spoiler Alert**

I love the books of Greg Iles.  I have read several, including True Evil, Turning Angel and Blood Memory.   I recently got my hands  on The Devil’s Punchbowl, I was excited.  I was pumped to get into a great book.  And it WAS a great book.  I just can’t believe he didn’t finish it!!!

Greg, this is for you.  I read 706 pages of this fabulous book, and actually thought that someone had ripped the last chapter from the folds.  There is no way you would taken us through The Devil’s Punchbowl and have the book end with your dad having a massive heart attack and something important to tell you.  Come On!!!!  That’s just cruel. 

Let me guess, the next part of the saga comes out in what, a year from now? 

For you authors, I realize you may want to line up sales for the next book by leaving the current book with a cliff hanger.  But keep in mind from the reader’s perspective, your next book may not be avaiable for 6 months to a year.  Guess What?  We have forgotten the cliffhanger.  People like closure.   Especially if you read on average 2 books a week.

Listen, if you’re good, you’re good.  and Greg Iles, you are good.  People will look at your next book, and not even read the back cover.  It will be a case of ‘Oooh, Greg Iles, I have to pick that book up”.  You don’t need to pull these stunts.   I had put you on par with Harlan Coben, but sorry my friend, you fell a notch.

Darlene

I have just finished reading both of Michael J Fox’s books, Lucky Man and Always Looking Up.   I enjoy autobiographies very much, and these are two of my favorites.

The first book, Lucky Man, tells of his rise to fame to his diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease.   It is well written, funny, sad and poignant.  In his own words he tells of his struggles and triumphs.  A great book, worth passing on.

The second book, Always Looking Up – The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist focuses on the last 10 years of his life, as he retires from acting, starts a Foundation and starts his journey to help find a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.  As with the first book, it is well written, and I found myself going to YouTube and watching the interviews that were mentioned in the book.  Especially the one with Katie Couric.

These would be great gifts for people, as they are inspiring, funny and thoughtful.

Enjoy

Darlene