The Mill River Recluse by Darcie Chan

My fellow readers, I want to preface this review by saying that it wasn’t my bowl of water, or cup of tea as you may say.  It wasn’t poorly written, it just wasn’t my genre and it didn’t really fill my “good book” requirements.  With that being said, let me tell you why you may like it.  If you enjoy light, uncomplicated, need something to quickly read on the beach or on the plane, then this may be for you.

Mary McAllister is an old, dying woman who lives in a marble mansion (a term that is used incessantly throughout the book) above the small town of Mill River.  The story is about the town folk and about Mary’s life, as a young woman through her old age.  She is, as the book implies, a recluse who suffers from extreme social anxiety.  She has one friend, the priest who visits here several times a week for sixty years.   She lives though the priest, learning about the people of the town and their lives.  Wishing she could be a part, but trapped by her own mental barriers.  There is nothing in this book that surprises or really delights.  You learn just enough about the characters to almost care for them but not enough that you are either rooting for or against them – at least that was my experience.  It took me a little over a week to get through it, which means it wasn’t exactly an attention grabber.  But, as I said earlier, if you are looking for something a bit mindless and mildly entertaining – by all means, check it out.

However, don’t let this review stop you from going to Amazon.com by clicking on the book image above and searching from thousands of other great books.  And remember, you need not buy books in order for the Central Texas SPCA to benefit – anything you buy on Amazon will mean that a portion of your dollars will go back to the shelter.  I know my owner relies on Amazon for ALL of her holiday shopping – if you do as well, please use our link and give us a paw, I mean a hand.  WOOF! 

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz

Woof!  Hi Everyone!  I have to tell you right out of the gate, this is one of my all time favorite books EVER!  This is the first book that as soon as I finished the last line on the last page I closed my eyes, whispered “wow” and vowed I would read it again.  It was another of those books that waited patiently on my Kindle.  I had purchased it during those first few days of Kindle ownership (ok, I don’t technically have an Amazon account – something about not giving credit to a canine, but my owner has one).  It sat there, beside The Book Thief waiting for me to run out of the other flashier books on my list.  But, seeing that my owner’s mom lives in the Dominican Republic, I thought it was time I give it a try.  And let me say again, WOW!

To sum it up, it is a book about the power the belief in a curse can have in your life.  The power that a mere belief can have over your life.  It is the tale of Oscar, a 300 lb nerd living in NY, his runaway sister Lola and their beauty queen mother Beli.    It is the story of family and a curse that plagues it.  While telling a deeply moving, heart aching, witty,  good tale it also explores the depths of the Dominican culture.   You may even pick up a little Spanish while you’re at it. 

As with my last review, you will come away with a little knowledge about a country not so far from our but so very different from our own.  And I dare you not to be utterly moved by this story.  As I am writing this review I am thinking it is about time to make good on my promise to read it again.  But I see Mr. Diaz has a couple of other books, maybe it is time to add those to the growing Kindle list!

In The Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

A barking good day to everyone!  I hope you have enjoyed the book reviews and have taken the time to go to Amazon using the CTSPCA link in the book image above.  Remember, some of  the dollars you spend at Amazon using this link go back to the shelter to help my furry friends in need! 

Friends, I am not really a non-fiction reader, more of a historical fiction fan.  I don’t want “just the facts.”  I prefer a little color and conversation.  The story I am recommending to you today has a little fiction woven in, but the facts of the story remain and it is an amazing story about an uprising that changed the political landscape in the Dominican Republic. 

The book is about the  four Mirabal sisters, three of whom were murdered in 1960, during the time of Trujillo dictatorship.  The sister played a pivotal role during the revolution against the notorious dictator, to the point they were even acting as gun runners.  Their murder, by Trujillo’s men, is viewed at the catalyst for finally bringing down the famed tyrant.  It is a view into the history of this beautiful country that still struggles to find success in democracy. 

This is one of those stories where you have to keep reminding yourself that what you are reading is a true story.  Of course Alvarez takes liberty to fill in the story between the facts, but the facts alone are the true driver of the tale. The Mirabal women were courageous beyond words.  I asked myself often, as I was reading it, would I have the courage to stand and fight? 

I want to be clear that while this story is about four women, it is not necessarily a story just for women.  It is the story of a dictator’s rise and fall and about the people who helped bring him down.  It is a reminder that in a country not so far from our own, in a time not so long ago, people were facing a tyrant and fighting for their lives and for freedoms, without the help of another country.  They rose, they fought and they won.  The Dominican Republic still struggles to find success in a democracy, men are still fueled by the power to rule.  I encourage you to read this, it will entertain you, enlighten you and inspire you.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Woof!  Woof!  And Double Woof!  Friends, have you read this book?  It is a dog’s dream come true.  The story is told by a dog!  It is the story of Enzo and his owner, racecar driver Denny.  The story opens when Enzo is dying and then opens into his time from pup to senior dog.  He is full of wisdom that he wishes he could share with Denny as Denny faces trials and tribulations that would bring some men to their knees.  And at Denny’s side the whole time, his friend Enzo. 

Enzo loves racing.  He loves watching the tapes of Denny’s races, he knows all the famous drivers from all the various racing circuits and styles, with clearly a flair for Formula 1.  And as he refects about Denny’s troubles, he beautifully works in lessons learned from racing into how to cope with the problems. 

Enzo is smart, and witty and wants thumbs and a tongue that would enable to speak more than anything.  He tells of a documentary he saw where in Mongolia, they believe that a dog will reincarnate as a man, when he is ready.  Enzo believes he is ready.  He believes he will finally come back as a man. 

I am not a fan of racing, so there were parts that I admit I “raced” through.  But I am a dog, so of course I loved this story!  I dare any dog lover or race lover to pick up this book and turn it away. 

Want to know more about the story?  Want to knock out some of your holiday shopping?  Why not use the Amazon link found on the book image above and in seconds you can be shopping and reviewing to your heart’s content – and the best part is that some of the money you spend at Amazon will go directly back to the CTSPCA to help us raise money for a new shelter.  Giving back was never so easy!  So go!  What’s stopping you.  WOOF!