The View from Mount Joy by Lorna Landvik

I've read several of Lorna Landvik's novels and have to say this one is my least favorite. When she wrote The View from Mount Joy, Lorna seemed to go off script and try her hand at cussing, being a little daring, and telling the story from a male perspective, which really didn't seem to work. Maybe it's just me. Have you read The View from Mount Joy?

It was a pleasant enough book but that's the charm of her writing:  it's pleasant, a true escape usually and this one had too many things that were just off to me. I kept waiting for something, and I have no idea what it was. The storyline was okay, interesting enough, but something was missing.

This is the type of book that I enjoyed reading, but couldn't get excited about. And I'm glad I finished it last night because I have a mystery that I picked up at the library with my name on it.

Book Read:  The View from Mount Joy
Author:  Lorna Landvik
ISBN:  978-0-345-46836-6

Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King

Okey, dokey. I'm becoming more and more of a fan of Stephen King. For years I wouldn't read his books because I'd read Carrie and it scared the pee diddle out of me. I think he's refined his writing or I'm a tougher old bird. I know the latter is true.

I just finished "Full Dark, No Stars" last night. Whoa baby! This is a book of longish short stories. Four of them. All superb.

-  1922 about a man who wants to get rid of his wife, but when he does... well, rats. Let's just say he has some visitors.
-  Big Driver is probably my favorite. A mystery writer goes to a last-minute speaking engagement but gets way more than she bargained for.
-  Fair Extension is a clever look at wishes that can come true.
-  A Good Marriage is based on Dennis Radar, BTK. Since I read true crime, this one seems creepily true to life.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Book Read:  Full Dark, No Stars
Author:  Stephen King
ISBN:  978-1-4391-9256-6

The Ten-Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer

The Ten-Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer is the first of her books I'd read, and I was pleasantly surprised. This story is of a four friends, women who live close together and some of whose sons attend the same private school in New York City.

The back and forth from woman to woman and from the 1960s or present day or the 1970s is seamless and provides just enough background on the women's mothers and what made them who they are.

Like I often do when I read a new author (new to me, any way), I looked up Meg Wolitzer. I knew I'd never read any of her novels, but I was surprised to see that I'd seen two movies based on books she wrote:  This Is Your Life, about a stand up comedian, and Surrender, Dorothy. Both were excellent. I may have to read the books.

Book Read:  The Ten-Year Nap
Author:  Meg Wolitzer
ISBN:  978-1-59448-978-5