Review & Giveaway: The Map of True Places by Brunonia Barry

Title: The Map of True Places

Author: Brunonia Barry

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Harper Collins

About (From Harper Collins):

Zee Finch has come a long way from a motherless childhood spent stealing boats—a talent that earned her the nickname Trouble. She's now a respected psychotherapist working with the world-famous Dr. Liz Mattei. She's also about to marry one of Boston's most eligible bachelors. But the suicide of Zee's patient Lilly Braedon throws Zee into emotional chaos and takes her back to places she though she'd left behind.

What starts as a brief visit home to Salem after Lilly's funeral becomes the beginning of a larger journey for Zee. Her father, Finch, long ago diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, has been hiding how sick he really is. His longtime companion, Melville, has moved out, and it now falls to Zee to help her father through this difficult time. Their relationship, marked by half-truths and the untimely death of her mother, is strained and awkward.

Overwhelmed by her new role, and uncertain about her future, Zee destroys the existing map of her life and begins a new journey, one that will take her not only into her future but into her past as well. Like the sailors of old Salem who navigated by looking at the stars, Zee has to learn to find her way through uncharted waters to the place she will ultimately call home.

My Thoughts:

The Map of True Places is the second novel that I've read by Brunonia Barry. The first was The Lace Reader, which I read last year and enjoyed (read my review of The Lace Reader, here). Both of Barry's novels are set in Salem Massachusetts, the hometown of Brunonia Barry and rich with culture and history that she weaves into her novels. The Map of True Places, is a moving story of Zee, a young psychotherapist who finds connection  and self discovery through the death of one of her patients. Zee is in a place in her life where she seems to have it all, a wonderful career with a great mentor Dr. Mattei, a fiance and family that love her. Things change drastically in Zee's life after the death of her patient and Zee must also confront the declining health of her adored father Finch.  Zee's life goes off course and she must find a way to get herself back on track and find answers to many questions from her past.

Recommend: Yes, Barry has a way with storytelling that immerses you as a reader right into the story. I found the characters to be interesting and well written and the background of Salem and navigational themes held together the story. If you've read The Lace Reader, you will find some of the characters mentioned along the way. I enjoyed The Lace Reader and was surprised to find that I enjoyed The Map of True Places even more. This would make a great book to discuss with a book club as there is so much to discuss with themes related to secrets, identity, love, family, suicide, and much more.

Source: Thanks to the publisher Harper Collins for sending me an advanced reader copy of this novel as well as an additional copy from LibraryThing Early Reviewers. 

Check out these additional websites for more information about Brunonia Barry and The Map of True Places:

The Map of True Places Website

Brunonia Barry's Main Website

Brunonia Barry on Facebook

Book Club Reading Guide for The Map of True Places

Check out this video of Brunonia Barry talking about The Map of True Places and Salem:

*GIVEAWAY DETAILS*

Since I have two advanced reading copies of The Map of True Places by Brunonia Barry, I would like to share them with readers of my blog. One copy was gently read and the other is brand new. 

To Enter:  All you have to do is leave a comment about my review and what interests you about this novel.  Make sure to include your email address so that I can contact you if you are a winner. Otherwise, I won't be able to include your name in the drawing. Open to US only due to postage costs.  Enter by December 29, 2010.

Mailbox Monday-December 13

~Mailbox Monday~
is hosted by Lady Q of Let Them Read Books (December Host)
We share what books that we found 

in our mailboxes last week.

This is the second week that we've been hit with a winter storm and we're now in the midst of a blizzard that is moving across the midwest. Schools are closed and it's snowing, windy and temps are low. Thankfully, we can all stay home and not have to go anywhere. I plan to read, I'm currently reading The Map of True Places by Brunonia Barry and listening on audiobook to A Secret Kept by Tatiana de Rosnay. I finally figured out how to upload CD's and audiobooks to my ipod touch so I plan to listen to music and books while I knit.

Here are the books that arrived in my mailbox last week:

 

From Paperbackswap:

Knit in Comfort by Isabel Sharp

Murder Most Frothy by Cleo Coyle 

I'm making this Beginner level Comfort Shawl, you can see the pattern at the Lion Brand website. I'm making it in a different color yarn than this picture, I chose Sierrra. I've only knitted scarves in the past but want to learn to do more so I'm progressing into bigger projects. I'd eventually like to knit a throw or afghan and my ultimate goal is to learn how to knit socks. Are you a knitter or crocheter and what are your favorite projects to work on?

Review: Spinning Forward by Terri Dulong

Title: Spinning Forward

Author: Terri Dulong

Genre: Women's Fiction

Publisher: Kensington Books

About (from Publisher):

In a debut novel brimming with warmth and wit, Terri DuLong spins a tale of new beginnings, old friends, and lives forever bound… 

A New Englander born and bred, the last place Sydney Webster expects to find herself starting over is on an island off the coast of Florida. Yet here she is in Cedar Key, trying to pull herself together after her husband's untimely death—and the even more untimely revelation of his gambling addiction. Bereft of her comfortable suburban life, Syd takes shelter at a college pal’s bed and breakfast, where amidst the bougainvillea blossoms and the island's gentle rhythms, a plan begins to form

Syd never considered the possibility of turning her passion for spinning and knitting into something more than a hobby, but when the unique composition of her wool draws attention, a door is opened—the first among many. Yet even as she ventures out of her comfort zone, Syd finds herself stepping into the embrace of a community rich with love, laughter, friendship...and secrets. And as long-hidden truths are revealed, Syd faces a choice: spin a safety net—or spin decidedly forward and never look back...

My Thoughts:
 

Spinning Forward is a debut novel written by Terri Dulong. Her writing is reminiscent of Debbie Macomber but she definitely spins her own style within this novel. I enjoy women's fiction and books about knitting and that cover with the pink yarn definitely drew me in. This isn't a cotton candy fluffy novel, it is a wonderful tale of  friendship, new beginnings and connections of the heart. Sydney is from New England and finds herself starting over in her 50's on the island of Cedar Key in Florida. Her husband died suddenly revealing secrets that she had never known as she tended to take a passive, behind the scenes role in her life and marriage. She stays with her college friend Ali who owns a Bed & Breakfast and must find a way to go forward. Sidney turns her passion for spinning and knitting into a specialty shop and must find her way within the community of Cedar Key. There is love, friendship, secrets, challenges and reaching forward to a new life. Spinning Forward is full of wonderful characters and the charm of small community life. I did enjoy the story as it's not too heavy or romancy but has a good balance of charm and wit. Some of the story was predictable but that didn't sway my enjoyment of this novel. It is the perfect book to read that will touch your heart and it is a great book to read on a cold winter day as I did. I finished this book while at home on a snowy day with a blizzard outside while I was cozy in front of the fire with a cup of tea and a copy of Spinning Forward. I look forward to reading Terri Dulong's second novel Casting About, that continues as the second book in the Cedar Key series.

Recommend: Yes, especially if you enjoy women's fiction and authors with similar writing styles as Debbie Macomber. If you're a fan of knitting related novels, this is one that you should definitely check out. 

Source: Thanks to the publisher Kensington Books for sending me a copy of the book to review through LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

About the Author:

Born and raised in north of Boston, Terri DuLong now resides with her husband, two dogs, and three cats on an island off the west coast of Florida. A retired Registered Nurse, she began her writing career as a contributing writer for Bonjour Paris, where she shared her travel experiences to France in over forty articles with a fictional canine narrator. Terri's love of knitting provides quiet time to develop her characters and plots for her future novels.

Read the first chapter of Spinning Forward, HERE.

Check out Terri Dulong's website, HERE.

Mailbox Monday- December 6th

~Mailbox Monday~
is hosted by Lady Q of Let Them Read Books (December Host)
We share what books that we found 

in our mailboxes last week.

First of all, the picture of the mailbox above is not my actual mailbox although mine looks pretty close to that right now! We're in the midst of a winter blizzard and have at least a foot of snow on the ground and my son had a snow day from school today. It's pretty to look at but not much fun to be out in. I did finish reading a book today, Spinning Forward by Terri Dulong and it was the perfect book to read in front of the fire with a cup of oolong tea by my side. I've mentioned before that I'm trying to be selective about the books that I'm accepting to review as I have so many books to read waiting on my bookshelves. I even weeded out stacks of books from my bookshelf and piles of books and donated a huge stack of books to the library this weekend. Many, I have already passed on to friends. I have so many books that you really can't tell that I purged my books. I was considering getting a Kindle but after talking about it with my husband, I decided that I have to read the 100's of books that I already have on my bookshelf waiting to be read. So, it was a good thing that I had no books delivered to my mailbox last week. I'm cheating a bit here in this Mailbox Monday post as these are the books that I received today in the mail.

Celia and the Fairies by Karen McQuestion (from the author)

The Dressmaker by Posie Graeme-Evan (From Paperbackswap)

Needles and Pearls by Gil Mcneil (From Paperbackswap)

Review: The Spare Room by Helen Garner

 

Title: The Spare Rooom

Author: Helen Garner

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Macmillan/Picador

About (From Amazon) : 

A powerful, witty, and taut novel about a complex friendship between two women—one dying, the other called to care for her—from an internationally acclaimed and award-winning author

How much of ourselves must we give up to help a friend in need? Helen has little idea what lies ahead—and what strength she must muster—when she offers her spare room to an old friend, Nicola, who has arrived in the city for cancer treatment. Skeptical of the medical establishment, and placing all her faith in an alternative health center, Nicola is determined to find her own way to deal with her illness, regardless of the advice Helen offers.

In the weeks that follow, Nicola’s battle for survival will turn not only her own life upside down but also those of everyone around her. The Spare Room is a magical gem of a book—gripping, moving, and unexpectedly funny—that packs a huge punch, charting a friendship as it is tested by the threat of death.

My Thoughts:

The Spare Room is a short novel at 175 pages but it is a fast and gripping novel about friendship and the joys and hardships that can develop when one is dying of cancer. Helen and Nicola have been friends for about 15 years, both in their 60's and they live in different cities in Australia. Nicola has terminal cancer and sets her hopes on getting treatment at an alternative health clinic near Helen. Helen invites Nicola to stay in her spare bedroom  as she undergoes the treatments. Helen is sure that she will be able to care for Nicola, she has no idea that caring for her friend will often bring out a side of herself that she never expected to see. A short, curt bitter and inpatient woman that is full of anger. She thought that she would don her caretaker role and not have a problem, she was in for a surprise. She becomes fiercely protective of Nicola as she believes that Nicola is being taken advantage of and given false hope at the alternative clinic. She learns to understand that when one is dying that a person often either gives in or fights and will try anything to keep them alive and that others can easily take advantage of this desperation. 

I found the story in The Spare Room to be a bit grim at first as it is difficult to read about someone in the process of dying. This book is so much more than that, it is the kind of book that evokes emotions that are unpleasant in the sense that I could identify with the feelings of Helen and her frustration and anger with Nicola's behaviors and with herself and her reactions. It also evokes a sense of emotion that it's not wrong to have feelings of frustration and anger but what is important is what you do with those feelings. I think that most women can identify with a caretaker role and wanting to "help" family and friends who are in a crisis health wise or other type of crisis. What Helen shows in her character is that we can often believe that we can be the Florence Nightingale and have the strength and patience to deal with most any situation. Often times, we can't and until we are in a situation of caretaking we realize the depth of what is required and the emotional toll it can take. It can bring out the best or the worst in you. I haven't been in a role of caretaking someone that was dying but of raising my son who had a myriad of health issues from birth on. He required much patience and dealing with the changes that his health issues brought on was a challenge.  We sought out alternative health specialists to consult with  and were willing to do so in hopes of helping our son. We had to be very level headed in weeding out the ones that could easily take advantage of those  offering miracle cures or questionable treatments. I also saw a patient side of myself, but also the impatient angry side reared it's ugly head and I had to learn to manage that. I never thought that I would have had to deal with the myriad of emotions that I went through. 

The Spare Room also looked at the friendship relationship and how that can be challenged when dealing with a friend who is nearing the end stages of life. This is the kind of book that affected me more deeply than I expected and was one that I had to process a bit as I turned that last page. The novel is based in Australia and I appreciated the descriptions of the city and country, ways of life and how things aren't that much different than here in the states.

Recommend: Yes, If you enjoy fiction that is packed with strength and emotion and explores life & death and the bonds of friendships. If you enjoy fiction set in Australia or Australian writers, definitely check this book out. This would also make a great book to discuss with a book club with it's themes of friendship, aging, death, alternative health and more.

Source: Thank you to the publisher: Macmillan/Picador  sending me a copy of this book to review.

About the Author:

Helen Garner was born in Geelong, Australia, in 1942. Her award-winning books include novels, stories, screenplays, and works of nonfiction, including Monkey Grip, The First Stone, and Joe Cinque’s Consolation. The Spare Room is her first work of fiction in fifteen years. She lives in Australia.

To listen to a wonderful audio with Helen Garner go HERE.

For a reading group guide, go HERE.

For a Q& A with the author, Helen Garner, go HERE.

Check out this wonderful video with the author Helen Garner talking about The Spare Room:

Mailbox Monday- November 29

~Mailbox Monday~
is hosted by Julie @ Knitting and sundries (November Host)
We share what books that we found 

in our mailboxes last week.

I've been selective about the books that I'm accepting to review as I have so many books to read waiting on my bookshelves. I do have a list of books on my wishlist at Paperbackswap and this is one that I added after reading some blog reviews earlier this year.

The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler (From Paperbackswap)

Weekend Cooking & Review: The Divvies Bakery Cookbook by Lori Sandler

Title: The Divvies Bakery Cookbook

Author: Lori Sandler

Genre: Cookbook

About (From publisher Macmillan):

THE DIVVIES BAKERY COOKBOOK is an opportunity for the millions of people who are dealing with serious food allergies to put the sweet back in their kitchens. With an assortment of delicious recipes, free of the four major food allergens – peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, and eggs (all vegan!), Lori Sandler offers sweet treats that everyone can enjoy and share ANY time: at birthday parties, snack time, bake sales, holidays, picnics, dessert time, and just because. What ingredients are left out have been replaced by double dollops of the good and the gooey – like chocolate, oatmeal, and molasses, – making the confections not only safe to eat, but absolutely delicious for everyone, even those without food allergies.

Divvies, an irresistible “fun-foods” company devoted to baking safe-to-eat, tasty treats for people with life-threatening food allergies, has been featured on Good Morning America and The Martha Stewart Show, as well as in the New York Times, New York Post, Gourmet Magazine, Vogue, Everyday with Rachel Ray, Daily Candy, and Urban Baby. All of their products are made in a dedicated facility where no nuts, eggs, milk, or ingredients that may have been exposed to these allergens are allowed in the door.

My Thoughts:

This is a beauiful cookbook and is chock-full of a variety of baking recipes geared towards those with food allergies, mainly towards nuts, eggs and dairy. I was very interested in this cookbook as many of you know from reading my blog, my son has food allergies. He is now 12 and we knew from the age of 1 that he was allergic to peanuts and egg whites. He outgrew the egg allergy but accumulated a multitude of food allergies primarily from the ages of 1-4 years old. These were trying times as he was allergic to most grains, dairy and soy and many other things it was difficult to find safe foods and recipes to interest a young child. At one time, he was allergic to over 20 foods. Thankfully, he liked fruits and veggies (although he was allergic to some of these) and he never had an allergy to meats but he now has a shellfish allergy. I lived at the health food store in those days (there was no Whole Foods or many specialty foods available at regular grocery stores then), my son drank rice milk and I baked his own bread which was hard to find a bread recipe that wasn't hard as a rock! My son still doesn't care for sandwiches as he got so used to eating rolled up meat and cheese or veggies.  Now, things are so much different, my son has outgrown many of his food allergies but still has several with the most difficult being nuts as it is a life threatening allergy. Food allergy rates for children are higher and there is more awareness of food allergies and acceptance to accommodate these by food manufacturers and restaurants. There is an array of Gluten Free products available at the grocery store as well as better labeling on food packages. It's not perfect and we still are always on guard, checking labels and packages and being careful at restaurants checking menu's.

Lori Sandler had a similar experience raising a son who has food allergies and she had an interest in baking and creating treats for her son that would allow him not to be excluded. This is a big issue for children with food allergies, they want to eat what other children are eating and not stand out as being different. They can't often have the typical treats that other children can eat without food allergies as there are often risks of cross contamination. After years of testing her recipes, in 2005 Lori Sandler opened a bakeshop dedicated to nut, dairy and egg free products in South Salem, New York. Her company has thrived since then and products are sold online and through retailers. Lori decided to share her story, mission and Divvies recipes in her cookbook, The Divvies Bakery Cookbook.

This is a beautiful cookbook with a design that is very inviting. The colors are comforting with their signature pastel blue and white and even the font and style of writing is warm and easy to read. There are also colorful pictures of some of the recipes in the center of the book. There is a complete table of contents listing the recipes that are geared toward delicious treats that can be shared with those with or without food allergies. The cookbook is divided into sections that "focus on times in our lives where food plays an important role" recipes geared towards family celebrations, school parties, travel, birthdays and snacks. 

In all honesty, I haven't had a chance to make anything from this cookbook as many of the recipes have soy/tofu listed as an ingredient and my son has a soy allergy and cannot have soy protein. Also, he is not allergic to eggs and many of the recipes list an egg replacer or are adapted to make appropriate substitutions for eggs. I would have preferred to have an alternative listed to make a recipe avoiding  the soy and an alternative listed for adjusting the recipe to use eggs. I understand that this cookbook is geared toward no eggs and no dairy so that is probably why the author did not list those alternatives. I don't have access to a store that carries Divvies chocolate chips. I can easily adapt the recipe and use Enjoy Life chocolate chips so I will be trying a few recipes with my son. I wish that this cookbook was available when my son was younger and in elementary school when I brought snacks into class for parties and birthday treats. There is a great section on snacks and party ideas that would be a great resource for parents of elementary aged children.

Some of the tasty recipes featured in THE DIVVIES BAKERY COOKBOOK include:

Divvies Famous Chocolate Cupcakes (featured on the Martha Stewart Show!)
Benjamin’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pick-Your-Berry Muffins
Extra Thick, Treasured-Filled Marshmallow Treats
“Ice Cream” Hash
Movie Night Popcorn

Here is a recipe that is available on The Divvies Bakery website:

I was also sent samples of Divvies prepackaged sugar cookies from the Divvies store. My son sampled these and enjoyed them although he is a chocolate lover and I think that he would have preferred the Divvies chocolate chip cookies. The cookies are a bit pricey but most allergy safe products cost extra.

Recommend: Overall, this looks to be an excellent cookbook with a variety of treats for those with primarily nut, dairy and egg allergies. If you or a family member has all three of these allergies this cookbook would be an excellent one to choose. If you have nut allergies only or dairy allergies only this would also be a great cookbook to choose. For those with soy allergies and those without egg allergies, it may be a challenge to figure out how to modify the recipes. I do wish that there would have been an extra note with each recipe or at the end to give suggestions on how to modify the recipes as this limited the number of recipes that we can  make.

Source: Thank you to Macmillan/St. Martin's Press for sending me a copy of this cookbook to review along with samples of Divvies Sugar cookies.

About the Author:

LORI SANDLER is the founder and owner of Divvies, a dedicated peanut-free, tree nut-free, milk-free and egg-free gourmet bakery that ships nationwide. What started as mother's labor of love for her son with serious food allergies grew into a thriving business. Divvies are sold online at www.divvies.com as well as through many nationwide retailers, including Whole Foods, Balducci's, and Disney Parks. Prior to opening the bakery, Lori Sandler spent 13 years as a marketing and communications executive. She lives in Pound Ridge, New York with her family.

For more information about Divvies products and Divvies Bakery Cookbook, visit the Divvies website

Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth Fish Reads and is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs.

Giveaway: SUNDAYS AT TIFFANY'S by James Patterson & Gabrielle Charbonnet

Sundays at Tiffany's Book info:

AN IMAGINARY FRIEND
Jane Margaux is a lonely little girl. Her mother, the powerful head of a New York theater company, makes time for her only once a week, for their Sunday trip to admire jewelry at Tiffany's. Jane has only one friend: a handsome, comforting, funny man named Michael. He's perfect. But only she can see him. Michael can't stay forever, though. On Jane's eighth birthday he leaves, promising that she'll forget him soon. He was there to help her until she was old enough to manage on her own, and now there are other children who need his help.
AN UNEXPECTED LOVE
Years later, in her thirties, Jane is just as alone as she was as a child. And despite her own success as a playwright, she is even more trapped by her overbearing mother. Then she meets Michael again--as handsome, smart and perfect as she remembers him to be. But not even Michael knows the reason they've really been reunited.
AND AN UNFORGETTABLE TWIST
Sundays at Tiffany's is a heart-wrenching love story that surpasses all expectations of why these people have been brought together. With the breathtaking momentum and gripping emotional twists that have made James Patterson a bestseller all over the world, Sundays at Tiffany's takes an altogether fresh look at the timeless and transforming power of love

**I read Sunday's at Tiffany's last year and enjoyed it, describing it as " a feel good kind of book that leaves you with a smile on your face after you read the last page. " Read my review, here.

Sundays at Tiffany’s is now a Lifetime original move from Sony Pictures Television, which will be airing on Monday, December 6 at 9:00 PM ET/PT, 8:00 PM CT.

Watch the preview for the Lifetime original movie "Sundays at Tiffany's," starring Alyssa Milano and Stockard Channing. Premieres Monday, December 6 at 9PM et/pt.

*GIVEAWAY DETAILS*

Courtesy of Hachette Book Group , I am giving away one paperback copy of Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson & Gabrielle Charbonnet

 

To Enter:  All you have to do is leave a comment, make sure to include your email address so that I can contact you if you are a winner. Otherwise, I won't be able to include your name in the drawing. Open to US & Canada only, NO PO Boxes. Books will ship directly to the winners. Enter by December 18, 2010.