The Lost Wife Recap

What a great discussion we had this past Monday.  We had a growing group of 13 wonderful ladies who shared openly their thoughts and questions about this year’s Long Island Reads book selection, The Lost Wife by Alyson Richman.

Several group members were hesitant to read yet another holocaust book, but shortly began devouring the lyrical and dramatic love story between Josef and Lenka.  The group quickly agreed that The Lost Wife wasn’t just another holocaust book; it is a love story, which captures you in its gipping depictions of a war-torn love.

The Lost Wife led our group to discuss what they would and wouldn’t do for family or for love.  The group talked about making difficult choices, which this book was full of, although it didn’t seem like the characters had much choice.  We deliberated on who was more heroic, Josef or Lenka for their decisions and actions or lack of actions at times.

Art, both musical and pictorial was a huge theme through The Lost Wife and much of our discussion revolved around how art can be utilized and thus become a representative of specific times in history.  Specifically, when discussion Lenka and her work with in Terezin or while reading and the reference to specific colors like the Green of a baby’s eyes or the red of Lenka’s blood.  It seemed important to the author that we reference bold colors in such a dark and dim place.

The Lost Wife is an excellent choice if looking to read about World War II.  It is descriptive and loyal to its subject, describing Terezin in all its awfulness, but also provides a glimpse of hope through the beautiful love story it weaves. 

Many of you have seen and enjoyed this wondrous author, and this is another special opportunity to join your community of LI readers-One Island, One Book.   Alyson Richman will be appearing on Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 2:00pm at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library.  We have a full bus with on-board discussion and snacks, but it is not required that anyone take the bus.  Tickets or registration are not required either, and seating is first-come, first-served after 1:00 p.m. (The Library is not open before 1:00.) Books will be available for purchase and signing.  Most of all read and enjoy The Lost Wife!  Then join fellow reads and the author herself in discussion.

For more information or other titles by Alyson Richman checkout her author site at AlysonRichman.com

Great New Mystery Writer

Have you heard of James Lee Burke? Well, writing mysteries runs in his family. His daughter, Alafair Burke, writes too.
She is the Author of two greatly recognized and successful detective series, both featuring strong-willed female characters.  Along with her latest achievement, Long Gone, Burke has succeeded in capturing a different voice and audience from that of her father.  Featuring much less rugged ranger main characters and more of the independently head-strong heroines, Burke seamlessly writes from her own experiences.

As a graduate from Stanford Law School, she went on to become a prosecutor and is now a former Deputy District Attorney. Presently, Burke lectures about criminal law and procedure as a Professor of Law at Hofstra University.  Her writing is always fresh in her head as she is simultaneously teaching to young minds how to process such circumstances.

If you are looking for a new mystery author, a little different from your usual ventures try any one of Alafair Burke’s novels.  You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

For more information please visit her author’s page at alafairburke.com.

Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

I'm going to see one of my all-time favorite authors tonight, Jodi Picoult!  Regardless of her amazing writing ability, where she places her readers among tough circumstances and divergent community issues, she is a great speaker, a writing enthusiast and a grateful fan of her loyal readers.  The ease in which she reads to her audience and answers our questions is like talking with a good friend and is never short of entertaining.  I have fortunately had the opportunity to meet Picoult at several intervals throughout her writer career and she never ceases to impress, capture and ignite my thoughts.
Again, in conjunction with the Book Revue in Huntington, Jodi Picoult is introducing her newest title, Lone Wolf.  She will be speaking at Huntington High School at 7pm.  I will sit through a wonderful reading, a question and answer session and stand in line to say hi to her and have her sign her book.  Later I will curl up with it and begin.  Tomorrow I will wake up with a whole box of tissues scattered around and huge bags under my eyes form all the emotion she packs in to her character’s lives; I’ll be waiting for a decent hour to pass so I can call each of my book buddies and tell them they can’t miss this one either.

It is rare to find an author you enjoy each time they have a new book out.  Picoult is an exception.  She writes with a purpose, with intellect and experience and she writes for her readers to acknowledge, learn and question.

Looking forward to a long enjoyable night or reading!