Tall Man in Ray-Bans (A John Tall Wolf Novel Book 1) --by Joseph Flynn

Fiction / Mystery

224 pages / 1697 KB

5 Stars

I read this in three days. I resented having to put it down. If you are a fan of the Hillerman's books about Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito, I think you'll like John Tall Wolf. Tall Wolf is a BIA Agent/cop, with, as he says, "a license to scalp."

The beginning of the book is nice back-story, and a great intro to the main characters and his family. An interesting perspective on Coyote, too that will become, I'm confident, a series running sub plot. 

Yes, if you're a fan of the Hillerman's books, you'll love John Tall Wolf. Time to rearrange your bookshelf and bring a new kid home with you. I laughed and chortled all the way through this book. Book 2 is my self-imposed carrot—if I don't get certain chores done, I can't order the book! Excuse me, I have to get to work.

Cave of Bones A Leephorn, Chee & Manuelito Novel #22 --by Anne Hillerman

Fiction

419 Pages / 4110 KB

5 Stars

This is my first Anne Hillerman, it will not be my last! I read a couple of her father's books, and lost interest; however, I had heard such good things about Anne's I had to try one and am delighted I did. There are subtle differences in her treatment of Chee and Leaphorn that I like. And of all the books to pick up and read first, it had to be this one, about a camp for girls! That's a good thing. I could relate to it. 

Having just returned home after 15 months in Albuquerque, I admit her book brought a certain amount of nostalgia. Love the way she ties in modern life and police procedures with Navajo life on the reservation. And now I'm starved for Navajo fry bread!

Am delighted she has taken over the series, and look forward to reading the rest of her books. 

Owls and Other Fantasies: Poems and Essays --Mary Oliver

Poetry & Essays

88 pages

5 Stars

I now live by the Columbia River, and can relate to most of her poems and essays. White Owl Flies Into and Out of the Field has long been a favorite of mine; it was nice to read it again. 

Ms. Oliver writes about every day things, seen through fresh eyes. Her poems are graceful, spiritual without using her spirituality as a club to bang over your head. She finds the beauty in everything, even sadness. 

Our world is a better place because of her blessings bestowed.

Felicity --by Mary Oliver

Poetry

96 pages

5 Stars

Mary Oliver's poetry always makes me feel more alive, more in turn with my world and all in it. Many of her poems in this little treasure, reminded me of certain friends. 

Do I have a favorite? Maybe. Possibly, I Have Just Said. But the next time I read it, who knows? We always bring our own stories to a book, whether of prose or poetry, and Ms. Oliver brings out the best of our stories. I miss her.

How We Became Human / New and Selected Poems: 1975 - 2001 --by Joy Harjo

Poetry

272 pages

5 Stars

I've read several of her poems in various magazines; this is the first collection I've read. I will read more. 

Her poetry is beautiful, honest, accessible, and will blow your socks off!  Her poetry will open insights into a world just enough different from what we're used to and become mind expanding. I found it a great introduction to a poet I knew more about than knew her poetry.

We are so fortunate, as a country, to have her as our Poet Laureate.

Poems in a Foreign Language --by Thomas Hubbard

Poetry

40 pages

5 Stars

This is a small, hand-stitched book by a gentle man. Mr. Hubbard is of mixed blood, and identifies as Native. His poems are from a Native perspective and deserve to be ranked up there with other, more well-known Native poets such as Joy Harjo and N. Scott Momaday. 

The Only Language I Speak is Foreign really spoke to me. And answered some of my childhood questions.  But my favorite one, at least for now, that will change as I reread the book, is Raining again (A Seattle Poem).

This book is available through Foothill Publishing at: http://foothillspublishing.com/2014/id95.htm and is truly worth the cost in money and more importantly in the time to read and reread. It belongs on the shelf of every lover of honest poetry.

When We Believed in Mermaids: A Novel --by Barbara O'Neal

fiction / literary

348 pages / 1612 KB

4 Stars

I read this book a couple of weeks ago, and couldn't put it down. She gets 5 stars for the story, 3 stars for the editing. Had it been edited, 5 stars would have been awarded. So, the bad news first: I was totally tossed out of the story half a dozen or so times with the phrase, "Me and Josie..., me and...." Perhaps Ms. O'Neal is from the UK? I understand that is common grammar there, but not here. At least it's common in their tv shows.

Second, the good news: As I said above, I had a hard time putting it down. I loved the story (when not being thrown out), I could relate to the people involved, I maybe didn't like them all, but I could see them. They were human. I very much enjoyed O'Neal's writing style, or voice. It's what I would call relaxed and accessible. Hence my frustration at being tossed out now and then.

If you want a thriller, or a bodice ripper, this isn't your cup of tea. Kit and her mother have lived for 15 years with the knowledge that Josie, Kit's older sister, is dead. And then they see her on a news clip from New Zealand. Anyone can look like her sister, but no one else would have the scar in exactly the same place, with the same shape. 

Much of this story is told in memory of happier days from the POVs of both sisters. And the mystery of why Kit became an MD, and Josie a drug addict. I found the ending quite satisfactory and on that, I'll say no more.

Do I recommend the book? Yes.