The Easy Book Club

The Easy Radio Book Club

What we're reading right now....

"The Queen of Patpong" by Timothy Hallinan.
A surprisingly sensitive thriller set in Thailand and revolving around the lives of young prostitutes and their struggle to survive and thrive. There's a substantial emotional depth to this story, even though it is wrapped in an energetic mystery. The Thai culture is on display, the good, the bad, and the disgustingly perverse. But there is also a tremendous sense of life and hope in the center of Bangkok's most abused young women. Poke Rafferty is the good American, but the hero's are the women who persevere. (SR-9/10)

"Outside The Ordinary World" by Dori Ostermiller. A family saga told from the perspective of the 1970's and today. One family torn apart by an affair, the next generation suffering the same fate. A beautifully written story with rich and fully developed characters. There is a great deal of darkness in this book, but also reflections of everyday life and the good and bad we all experience with our families. A quiet and spellbinding novel. (SR-Aug 2010)

"Lost Rights" by David Howard. The subtitle of this wonderful historical adventure is "The Misadventures of a Stolen American Relic", or to be more precise one of the original Bill of Rights. This non-fiction book is fascinating from a historical perspective, but also from the perspective of people and personalities in the antiques and collectibles field. Nicholas Cage in the movie version? (SR-Aug2010)

"A Fierce Radiance" by Lauren Belfer. From the NY Times Bestselling Author of "City of Light" comes a novel set in New York City during World War Two. The development of Penicillin is the primary center of this story, surrounded by the stress of the war on several families, a mysterious death, and a complicated romance. It is a wonderfully crafted, beautifully rendered, and sensitive story that captures the fear of war on the home front and the desperate need for Penicillin by the Army as well as everyday Americans. It wasn't so long ago a small scratch could lead to a painful death. It also wasn't so long ago that "Life Magazine" was the window to America for millions. Henry Luce is here, as is Vannevar Bush and many others of the era in what appears to be a fact based fiction. A truly engrossing book. (SR-July 2010)

"The Invisible Bridge" by Julie Orringer. There isn't a thing I could write or say that would do justice to this wonderful novel. Set in the late 1930's through the end of the War, it is the story of Andras Levi', his family, and life in Hungary during the Holocaust. Hard to imagine a better book. Read this novel. (SR-June2010)

"The Passage" by Justin Cronin. Wow. A big, juicy summertime read set in the near future. The United States has been ravaged by a viral infection, turning people into "Virals" or "Smokes"; Vampire type creatures. From the beginning of the medical experiments conducted by the Army, through the years of isolation and desperate human survival, this big book never stops moving. Lots of personality to this saga, and plenty of heart pounding action amidst a thoughtful story. (SR-July 2010)

The Liberators by Michael Hirsh: Book Cover

"The Liberators" by Michael Hirsh. A surprisingly intense and emotional book about American GI's discovery of and liberation of Nazi Concentration Camps. Told through interviews with many soldiers and officers of the Army, the remembrances remain vivid and horrific. This is a fresh perspective on the Holocaust and the impact it had on the young men (and women) who were the first witnesses. (SR-May 2010)

"The Rule of Nine" by Steve Martini. My introduction to this NYTimes Best selling mystery author, and it has clearly made me a big fan. "The Rule of Nine" is a Paul Madriani mystery, and it's got a murderous killer from Mexico, international terrorism and political intrigue. And it ends with a bang. You'll read it in one or two sittings. (SR-May 2010)

"The Hypnotist" by M.J. Rose. A lyrical, thrilling mystery about Art, History, and the possibility of Reincarnation. Great pacing, great characters, perfectly balanced as the story progresses. The energy of "The Hypnotist" builds till the very end, leaving the reader with a few conclusions to draw on their own, but satisfied a sense of justice has been served. (SR-May2010)

"The Lies We Told" by Diane Chamberlain. Set in Raleigh, and Wilmington, NC, the story of sisters Rebecca and Maya. They are doctors, with a tragic past. The watched as their parents were murdered, but have grown into successful careers and relationships. When a hurricane hits Wilmington, everything goes haywire, from the weather, recovery, and personally. A combination mystery, suspense, and relationship novel, "The Lies We Told" is a fine, satisfying book.

"The Language of Secrets" by Dianne Dixon. A debut novel that caught me completely by surprise. We receive so many books at the radio station that often it's just a sentence or two that will help me decide to read on or set the book in the big stack near my desk. I started "The Language of Secrets" on a Friday night, and finished it over the weekend. It's the story of Thomas Justin Fisher and his search for his true background. It's a family saga of sorts; often difficult, often sad, and often filled with anger. Not only is this a compelling story, but author Dianne Dixon has a wonderful way with words that caused me to re-read sentences because of their perfect balance and beauty. "Then the rain and the darkness rushed in as a soul rushed away. And it was finished." Read this book.
(SR-3/10)

"Hellgate" by Linda Fairstein. A terrific mystery/legal thriller. Set in present day New York City, it's another Alexander Cooper mystery, prosecutor in the District Attorney's office for Sex Crimes. This novel is all about New York City, and New York City politics. Because Fairstein spent years as a prosecutor in the District Attorney's office, "Hellgate" certainly rings true and captures more nuance than most mysteries. It's the intersecting story of sex trade crimes and a Congressman caught up in scandal. "Hellgate" has more depth and detail than an ordinary best seller. It's thoughtful at times, but loaded plot wise. Terrific. (SR 3/10)

"Caught" by Harlan Coben. A good solid high paced missing person mystery. There are plenty of possible suspects of different crimes and odd happenings, all connected of course but not in any obvious manner. In the beginning, Dan Mercer is arrested for soliciting young girls, and another young teenage girl goes missing. The TV reporter at the center of everything, Wendy, is conflicted about the innocence or guilt of several of the central characters, and finds herself caught up in whatever holds all the pieces of the puzzle. It's a complicated puzzle that doesn't become complete until the very final page of "Caught". (SR March 2010)

The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova. The long awaited follow up to The Historian. The Swan Thieves is a completely different book, a different story, a different experience. And yet, it has the same descriptive power and skillful writing. This is a love story on many layers and across several centuries. Robert Oliver is brought to Dr. Andrew Marlow after attempting to slash a painting on display in Washington, DC. He is a mostly silent patient, and Marlow is determined to help him, and discover why he was attempting to destroy the painting. Readers should not expect the gripping, terrifying plot surprises of Kostova's previous book. However she has an uncanny ability to draw the reader into the art, color, paintings, and lives of everyone involved. This is a beautiful story.
(SR-Jan 2010)

"Deeper Than The Dead" is Tami Hoag's latest, and soon to be New York Times Best Seller! The setting is the mid 1980's, in a small California, city. A murder is discovered, and then another, and all of a sudden there is a serial killer on the loose. Enter Vince Leone, an FBI profiler on the scene to assist the local police. The story is grim of course, but the personalities are not. There is a great deal of energy and forward motion in the book, and I'm not sure anyone will know "who done it" till the very end.
(SR-1/10)

"Treasure Hunt" by John Lescroart is a smart, witty, funny, and detailed murder mystery set in San Francisco. The characters are all people I'd love to meet and hang around with, and the city of San Francisco is certainly portrayed as an upscale, delicious place to be! In an interview with the author, his comment captured the feel of this book..."I had a lot of fun writing this book..."
(SR-1/10)

"The Possibility of Everything" by Hope Edelman. A moving memoir that starts with an imaginary friend called Dodo. The author's daughter, Maya, presents her imaginary friend, who at times can be hostile and disturbing. Edelman and her family take a Christmas vacation to Belize in search of a Shaman, and natural healing. A story of learning a new way to look at our lives and understanding of other cultures, healing, and emotion. A moving book of hope and possibility.
(SR 11/09)

"The Paris Vendetta" by Steve Berry. A terrific read...fast paced and full of depth. A historical mystery thriller that brings back Cotton Malone, a "retired" Justice Department agent living in Copenhagen, operating a used bookstore. The plot revolves around the search for the hidden cache of Napoleon's treasure, and the activities of a nefarious group called "The Paris Club". A captivating novel!
(SR 12/10)

Steve Berry will be at the "Moveable Feast" in Litchfield Beach, on January 29th.