Bod Owens lives in a graveyard.  He has lived there since he was just a wee babe and clambered through the fence railings to explore.  What he didn’t realize at the time is that he had narrowly escaped a killer.  The killer who moments before murdered his father, mother, sister and now was looking to finish the deed.

 Bod was lucky, the ghosts intervened and hide him.  In the graveyard, Bod is raised by a different kind of family.   Teachers from Roman days, drowned witches and a host of ghouls to help Bod become a man.  As with any childhood, the adventures abound when you least expect it, especially when you are looking behind headstones!

 Surprisingly this is a kids’ book from one of my favorite authors, Neil Gaiman.  This book is a delight - one I hope Gaiman will continue through writing more on adventures and lessons of Bod’s journey…

I just saw Avatar over the weekend and because of all the hype, I did not want to like – fortunately I loved it.  It was gorgeous.  The theme of energy and interconnectivity is absolutely part of my believe structure. 

 Thus I was surprised yesterday when I started to hear criticism about the ‘white messiah’ saving the people in the movie.  Aghhhh, have you seen the movie?  He’s a cripple.  Yupe, he does have white skin and he can’t walk.  He is constantly last – last off the plane, rejected and judged because of outward appearances.  This character is one of the least among us.  (Ringing any bells – the last shall be first…)

 The concept of a messiah saving the community is a cross-cultural story.  The idea that there are signs and that a savior will come to make this right again is as old as time itself.  Check out the bible, Buddhism, any sacred text will have this story – it’s a longing we all share to be rescued. 

 Yes, the movie runs a bit long – that’s my only complaint.  However, Cameron has created an unbelievable feat – he has changed how we see movies.  The 3-d effects sink you into the picture, instead of feeling like the scenes are set up to show 3-d images.  The 3-d format has finally been integrated into a movie seamlessly.  Bravo!

Just got back from the gorgeous and magical Costa Rica and here’s what I read in order…

 Knit Two by Kate Jacobs.  The story continues the story of her original The Friday Night Knitting Club, both are delightful.  Tears and laughs along with the sticky hierarchy of female relationships…

 American Gods by Neil Gaiman.  Excellent.  Fascinating characters amid a stark view of what we today anoint as Gods…Love everything he writes. 

 Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie.  Alright I know why this book received critical acclaim (slice of different world, some haunting scenes…) but skip it.  The plot is disappointing and the characters really don’t attached themselves to your heart.  It’s a bit cold, everything is from a distance…

                                                                                                              Shadow of Power by Steve Martini.  Liked the courtroom dialog, kind of hated the race plot.  The whole slave/constitution thing just doesn’t have the same impact on a woman as a man…Where were women’s rights in the constitution?  Missing as well.  There is a lot of offense to go around…Read Skin Tight instead…

 Skin Tight by Carl Hiaasen.  Murder and laughs – perfecto!  Any Hiaasen book on vacation is fun and will keep you up much later then you intend, just another chapter…It is a riot – the one-armed-weed-wacking thug with a white-out chin…I’m still giggling.

 Promise Me by Harlan Coben.  Fun.  Quick-paced, same amusing characters.  I want a friend like Win…

 And yes, I enjoyed many other fun adventures on the vacation besides reading, that I will share with you in the coming weeks…Just wanted to help out with any last-minute holiday gift ideas…Happy reading!

I really enjoyed this Alice Hoffman novel.  I loved the concept that there is a lurking angel waiting to offer peace where none can be seen.  The angel may manifest in the deeds or words of anyone – that’s the point.  A lurking angel to lift you up and bring you home to peace – everywhere and anywhere.

 The characters are haunted and imperfect.  The call to love draws each of these characters to do things they later regret.  They aren’t bad people, just unhappy and ignoring the eventual consequences of their behaviors.  They are just like us – stumbling fools falling into grace time and time again.  

When I picked this book up I wanted an old-fashioned romance, but what I got was a thinly guised social issue trying to be pasted off as an issue of morality.  This book is achingly sentimental to the point of nausea. 

 I love the idea of the weekly letter and the truth of what that could really reveal.  However about half way through the novel things get weird.  I am not going to expose the big secret/mystery accept to say I found it insulting.  I have no doubt this kind of situation happened/happens – what I object to is the preachy, religious tone that suddenly appears. 

 If you wanted to write a political ad, write it.  Don’t waste my time with tricks and gotchas. 

Fannie Flagg creates another small southern hamlet that one wishes to fall into – hilarious and heart-warming.  On the outset though, if you don’t like little old ladies with all their quirks and habits, skip it.  Myself, I expect to be an outrageous little old lady one day…

 Elner, Verbena, Norma and Tot each bring their own unique perspective to all they encounter.  Whether in heaven or at the beauty parlor, each has a voice that rings true with the reader.  Who doesn’t have a friend who looks like a monkey?  Thereby forcing you to rethink the whole evolution thing…

 This book is delightful – and a perfect distraction during the holidays.  Enjoy!   

Can we get an editor here please???  As I read Dan Brown’s new book – I kept thinking, who edited this?  Half way through the book I completely forgot the title and main theme (finding the lost symbol) because I was caught up in another theme of pyramids, legends and noetic science… 

 Here’s the thing I like Dan Brown but this was a ridiculous meandering around several different plots never choosing a real focus or theme.  I did however love his tidbits about Washington D.C., forefathers’ lore and the Freemasons’ society.  Unfortunately the 500 plus pages was a complete slog to get through.  If you had any notion of theme, plot or critical thinking (or you were an English major) – stop, save your money and if you must, wait for the library copy to be in.

If you have ever been in couples therapy, this is funny, not hilarious or I can’t wait to see it again, but amusing.  It’s rather predictable and who cares.  Vince Vaughn does he’s usual thing, running at the month, and is most times successfully funny.  The shark attack and his whining afterward were priceless. 

 The rest of the cast is good and Jon Favreau – please step away from the plastic surgery.  He looks kind of scary. Overall: go to the matinee or wait for HBO (you know this one will be a continual loop one…)

You either like Lewis Black or you deem him annoying – I am of the former group.  I enjoyed this book immensely particularly chapters jesus loves me, this I know; golfing in the kingdom and in the land of seagulls and gingham.

 Black is honest and funny.  He loves the ritual and mystery of a ‘higher power’ yet hates it’s translation through the tongues of fools, conmen or worse, murderers.  It seems to rattle his senses a bit and for a man who protests at having no faith, me thinks he protests too much.  An examined faith is a living faith.  I would say Black’s religion has a lot of wicked humor, love for all and a healthy dose of raunchy sex.  Enjoy!

I bought this book as I was traveling - stuck in an airport as I recall and about to spend the next three hours sitting in a cramped seat - 5C - on the tarmac waiting for weather to pass and I barely noticed.  This book is absolute trash – like a soap opera and I loved it.

 I remembered the author from Sex and the City and thought; at least this will be funny – it was.  The characters are cutting and all-too-real.  Definitely gets you to thinking about what makes people tick and how one deed leads to another and another until you are down a road maybe you didn’t expect…

 This is a very light, amusing read that will keep you chuckles even in the worst of circumstances.