Category Archives: flasterc

Lost in Shangri-la by Mitchell Zuckoff

Posted on May 20, 2013 by flasterc

Shangri-la conjures up images of a utopian kingdom where no one suffers or ages—a la the classic movie.  But the book Lost in Shangri-la is grounded in reality, relaying the harrowing rescue of a band of soldiers during World War … Continue reading →

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Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Posted on March 15, 2013 by flasterc

When you get to the end of a book you’ve loved, there’s a sadness that it’s over.  But when I finished Their Eyes Were Watching God I was glad – glad that I had read this again.  I got so much more … Continue reading →

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The Round House by Louise Erdrich

Posted on December 18, 2012 by flasterc

A rape has been committed.  But in this 2012 National Book Award winner, The Round House, author Louise Erdrich does not focus on the rapist, but on the victim, her family and on the narrator, her 13 year-old son Joe. … Continue reading →

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Defending Jacob by William Landay

Posted on September 29, 2012 by flasterc

I’m not a usual reader of mystery thrillers, but when a patron raved about Defending Jacob I gave it a try.  A start is all you need to get hooked.   The writing is fast-paced in that hard-boiled detective style.  But … Continue reading →

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The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

Posted on September 22, 2012 by flasterc

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach weaves a story of youth, identity and belonging against the backdrop of the perfect sport—baseball.  The president of a small midwestern college, Guert Affenlight, returns to his alma mater as a Herman Melville … Continue reading →

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The Litigators by John Grisham

Posted on August 11, 2012 by flasterc

If you’ve taken a break from Grisham, thought his stories were sounding too similar, come back to a page-turner where the verdict might be predictable but the road along the way is witty with likable characters.  Three litigators are struggling … Continue reading →

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Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Posted on June 12, 2012 by flasterc

It’s hard to read a tough book – a book that hits hard at your fears, with no solutions.  Such is the novel Still Alice by Lisa Genova.  Dr. Alice Howland, renowned Harvard professor, is at the peak of her … Continue reading →

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The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle

Posted on May 18, 2012 by flasterc

Published in 1995, The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle is still as timely today in its exploration of the dilemmas of illegal immigration.  Boyle does not judge, does not side, he merely presents his story — the sad reality of … Continue reading →

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The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

Posted on April 3, 2012 by flasterc

Sweet title, not a sweet story.  Vanessa Diffenbaugh has used the Victorian dictionary of flower meanings to create a story filled with the harsh reality of life for a foster child.  Victoria Jones has just been emancipated – out on … Continue reading →

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To End All Wars by Adam Hochschild

Posted on March 22, 2012 by flasterc

With the 100 year anniversary of World War I approaching, examination of this sometimes little understood event may well become a popular topic of study for the everyday reader.  Adam Hochschild’s To End All Wars is an excellent start if … Continue reading →

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