What secret asian girl Is Reading

In Houston, summer starts somewhere around mid-March with dry, hot temperatures, much like opening a furnace door and stepping into it. In my mind, that means more time indoors...reading.  Fortunately, there's a LOT of new literary offerings out there that are worth your indoor time. I've never read any books by popular author Adriana Trigiani, but recently finished reading The Shoemaker's Wife. If you're a fan of historical fiction, like I am, but sometimes don't want to invest in one of those 1000 page doorstops, you might consider this one. It's about two Italian immigrants during the early 1900's who live in villages within walking distances of each other. For very different reasons, both end up going to America and, of course, end up together. Their individual journeys are painful, joyous, heart-breaking and redemptive. Together, their stories blend to portray a glimpse into the American immigration experience. The colorful Italian culture they bring with them is vibrant and its intensity adds to the mural of our collective portrait. I think you'll find it sweet and heart-warming.  

 Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan is one of those novels that I immediately peg for a book club book - but only  for one of those book clubs that actually have vigorous, intelligent discussions about the book. I've yet to find one of those clubs but that's another story. Lifeboat takes place immediately following the catastrophic event that causes these 39 people to be in the boat in the first place. The experience is seen in flashback through the eyes of a privileged young woman shortly after the more famous Titanic sinking, without the societal safety of her rich husband and surrounded by people of all ages and classes. One by one (like in Yann Martel's Life of Pi) the survivors leave the boat, either by choice or, sometimes, by popular vote. Like many similar stories (the classic Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder - which I love - comes to mind), a group of disparate people find themselves together in unusual circumstances. What brought these particular people together and is it part of a greater plan or mere coincidence? Who is meant to survive and why is it that one person over another? Where does Fate figure in?  Does religion play a part?  I'll leave the room....discuss.

A Dog's Journey by W. Bruce Cameron is the true sequel to the very wonderful must-read for all animal lovers, A Dog's Purpose. It picks up directly at the end of the previous book. If you shy away from animal stories because of the inevitable heart-wrenching endings, fear not. Yes, there are bits of sadness, but anyone who has ever loved and cherished a family member who happens to be covered with fur knows, sadness is part of it. These are very different animal books, told in the unique voice of that spirit which inhabits the animal who chooses you: the special entity who will be your companion throughout your life, even if it is unable to remain in that body for more than 12-15 years. Miraculously, the entity is reborn in another body, with the same spirit, memories and love of your companion, willing to finish his/her life objective: protecting and loving you. As each character is "reborn," we see their loyalty shine through. Sometimes, there is distance to overcome - often, there is the obstacle of cruel or ignorant humans, but always, there is hope. Hope that love will lead you back together - to complete your journey together and in that way, make it through. I cried like a baby through both of these and if you know anything about what I've been through lately, you'll understand how much hope this gives me to one day find Sammy again. Sorry, no choice: READ IT.

This one appeals to the irreverent, snarky part of me. Seth Grahame-Smith, made famous for his retelling of books like, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies or more recently (and opening this summer as a movie), Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter.  I have to tell you that this concept cracks me up. I love anything that takes an established iconic legend and turns it on its head in the face of stodgy purists. Muahahaha!! I LOVED Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter. I know some people regard me differently when I say that, but it's true. I laughed out loud, and at some point, actually guffawed. Yes, I did. That's why I grabbed Unholy Night, and I was not disappointed. First off, even though Grahame-Smith is ballsy enough to take on a biblical mega-story like the Bethlehem birth story, it is not disrespectful in any way. If there's negative literary license taken, it's with Herod or Pontius Pilate. The main character is Balthazar, a hapless thief who's gained some notoriety as the "Antioch Ghost," who escapes from the executioners axe with two similarly down on their luck criminals, Mechior and Gaspar. On their way out, they steal some gold, some frankinscence and...um, what was the third thing? Oh yeah, myrrh for their injuries. During their escape from Herod's men, they happen upon a stable temporarily housing a carpenter and his wife nursing their newborn son. Hello. The atheist Balthazar, witnessing Herod's slaughter of babies, takes it upon himself to save the small family in the stable and get them to safety in Egypt. Is it the greatest story never told? In any case, it's a great jumping point for discussion, if your mind is open to it, and a new twist; something Mr. Grahame-Smith is getting quite good at.