Five Quarters of the Orange , By Joanne Harris
(Reviewed by Jane)

Many of you may have read some of Joanne Harris’ work before, or at least saw the movie based on her best-selling novel, “Chocolat”.  Really, all these two books have in common is that they’re both set in France and they weave food and recipes into the storyline.

“Five Quarters of the Orange” is set in a small village in France, during World War II, when France was occupied by the Germans.  Not a very happy time in history and a very unhappy time for the French, in particular, meaning that this isn’t a light-hearted book.  It’s told from the perspective of 9 year-old Framboise, who lives with her mother and older brother and sister, on a family farm.  Her father was killed in the war and her mother, who is quite cold and stern, suffers from debilitating migraines.  The migraine episodes are at the center of the family mystery that is the storyline of the book.  Some sort of scandal or tragedy happened to Framboise’s family and the book is her re-telling of that story, as an old woman.

I often will choose good writing, over the story or the subject matter and when I started this book, I had the feeling that this might be one of those cases.  Harris’ writing is not flowery, overblown or, what I can only refer to as ‘romancy’.  I can’t stand authors that write ‘down’ to a more adolescent level, or try to manipulate with overly emotional, cheesy settings.  But, as I got into the first chapter and into the next, although I still was drawn by her writing, I had to find out what happened to force her family to flee and abandon their farm. … (more…)

Angels & Demons, By Dan Brown
(Reviewed by Tizzy)

When I heard this movie was coming out in May, I wanted to read the book first.  I was familiar with Dan Brown’s other hit novel The Da Vinci Code, but I was interested to dive into Robert Langdon’s first adventure.  Packed with suspense, twists, passion and smarts, Angels & Demons is not only a fun, quick read but also better than the movie.

This book tells the story of how a secret brotherhood called the Illuminati wants to destroy the Catholic Church in one night.  They send the Vatican a bomb threat, and they capture four of the Cardinals from conclave to murder.  It’s the perfect recipe for disaster, and the perfect puzzle for Langdon to solve. … (more…)

A Thousand Splendid Suns, By Khaled Hosseini
(Reviewed by Dom)

I remember crowing a few years ago about an unknown book by an unknown author, trying to get everyone to notice a book called The Kite Runner. Now, after several million copies sold, Hosseini doesn’t need some radio nerd in Denver to sing his praises. He’s a genuine talent.

His follow-up novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, leaves no doubt. As with The Kite Runner, this will be a book that is so disturbing to some people that they won’t be able to finish it. I understand that, and would warn you that if you’re sensitive to brutality and stark, grim depictions of life in war-torn countries, then this might not be for you. I thought it was terrific.

The story centers on two generations of women in Afghanistan, brought together in a most unfortunate manner. Mariam and Laila are both forced to marry Rasheed, and the story of their lives might possibly bring you to tears. So…why would anyone recommend this book? Because Hosseini does a masterful job of painting characters who become so complex – and so real – that you become completely absorbed in the tale. … (more…)

A Prayer For Owen Meany, By John Irving
(Reviewed by Dom)

What if I recommended a book where the title character – completely unforgettable, by the way – is a dwarfish young man whose dialogue throughout the entire book is rendered IN ALL CAPS?

And what if I told you that the book would keep you up late at night, keep you from getting work done, and quite possibly change the way you look at faith, fate, and friendship?

That book is John Irving’s “A Prayer For Owen Meany.” True, you’ll find plenty of detractors who just can’t wrap their minds around this bizarre, complex novel, and that’s fine; no book scores with everyone. But you’ll also find legions of readers who swear it’s one of the best American novels ever written. I was mesmerized by it. … (more…)

Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence: Revised and Updated for the 21st Century, By Vicki Robin, Joe Dominquez, and Monique Tilford.
(Reviewed by Jane)

I actually read the first edition of this book in the early 90s, when my husband and I were just starting to make enough money to be able start saving and investing.  I was searching around for something a little different than just a dry book on investing, and the premise of this book appealed to me. 

In a nutshell, the exercises and anecdotes in the book force you to assess how much of your life, you give over to making money.  Once you factor in EVERYTHING involved in your job, or what you do to make money, it really hits you between the eyes, how much of your life and life energy, might be slipping away. … (more…)

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, By Deepak Chopra
(Reviewed by Jane)

There are times in my life, when I find that I have to spend a little bit of time re-orienting my attitude, outlook and goals.  This is one of those times and that’s when I typically turn to books, to get my head right.  One of my favorite authors to help me with this, is Deepak Chopra and so when Dom and I were tossing around ideas for our February book, this one popped right into my mind.  February is a short month and this is a short book, but it’s full of gems of englightenment.

“The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success” can be read in about an hour, if you just sit down and go straight through it, but that’s not what I suggest.  This book is so powerful to me, that I find myself grabbing it for a few minutes everyday, to reinforce the lessons in it.  The seven laws that he lays out, are really a roadmap for getting your self on the road to leading a more positive, ‘in the present’ life.  I’ll be honest, that’s not an easy thing for me to do, which is why this quick little book is so invaluable in my life. … (more…)

The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, By Douglas Adams
(Reviewed by Dom)

Okay, so the word ‘classic’ is thrown around much too often, which in the end actually cheapens the word. But in this case we have no choice; Douglas Adams penned not just a classic, but a masterpiece.

2009 marks the book’s 30th anniversary, and it holds up perfectly. Ask anyone who has read it multiple times and they’ll tell you that they laugh just as hard each and every time. Adams practically invented the world of humorous science fiction, and immediately set the bar impossibly high.

In the tale, our hero is just your average guy, a rather mundane man named Arthur Dent. He’s miraculously rescued from Earth just moments before it’s obliterated to make way for an interstellar bypass. Little does he know that his friend, Ford Prefect, is a researcher for The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and has been stranded on Earth for many years. … (more…)

The Longest Trip Home, By John Grogan
(Reviewed by Dom)

John Grogan’s book Marley & Me was a huge best-seller, and has even felt the call from Hollywood (the movie will star Jennifer Aniston, Eric Dane, and Owen Wilson, and will be released this Christmas). Now Grogan returns with a touching memoir about growing up near Detroit.

It’s an interesting examination of the constant struggle between parents and children when it comes to values and beliefs. Grogan was raised in a strict Catholic household, and as he got older he found himself battling the trademark issues that seem to confront all teenagers. … (more…)

Sweet Revenge, by Diane Mott Davidson
(Reviewed by Dom)

We thought it was a fun time of year to select a mystery for our book club, and there are a lot of things about Sweet Revenge that make it a great choice.

For one, it’s set during the holiday season, so you start to get into the mood. Plus, this is the 14th mystery to star Goldy Schulz, a caterer. Well, you know how much we love our food on the Dom and Jane Show, and this book not only has food laced throughout every chapter, but there are actual recipes included that you can make, too… (more…)

The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle
(Reviewed by Dom)

On our show I often have a bit of fun with my own tongue-in-cheek parody of motivational speakers. I invented a spoof program called “Go For The Now.” Well, I guess the joke’s on me, because someone turned me on to this book, titled “The Power of Now,” and I thought it was fascinating.

Eckhart Tolle has taken an age-old concept and delivered it with a fresh, relatable flavor. He drives home the point that we are much too obsessed with what has happened in the past, and much too worried about a future that we can’t predict. His message is simple: Our thoughts should be fixed on the present moment, allowing us to escape the pain that dogs us when we succumb to obsessive thoughts.

Be honest: You have found yourself often caught up in things from your past that you can’t seem to break free of, right? Or you spend hours and hours fretting over what might be around the next corner. Tolle’s observations are profound when you consider the implications in your own life. Whether it’s about relationships, work, finances, this book will help you become focused on what’s most important.

Many times you’ll find that, when you step back and observe yourself, you’ll find the most wonderful things right before your very eyes.

As with most books of this nature, there are parts that will resonate with you, and others that don’t. That’s fine; my prediction is that you’ll find just enough to make a difference in your life, and that’s all any of us can ask.

And now through the end of October, you can pick it up today at all three locations of The Tattered Cover Book Store, for a 20% discount!