Aug 12th, 10
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Arcadia Falls
By Carol Goodman
Ballantine Books
March 9, 2010
More Info / Order Herez
I received and read an Advance Reader’s Copy of Arcadia Falls for Library Thing.
Recently widowed Meg takes a teaching position at the Arcadia Falls art colony in hopes of gaining financial stability, restoring her relationship with her teenage daughter, Claire, and completing her research on the authors of a lost changeling girl fairytale. This fairytale and its lessons weave their truths throughout Meg and Claire’s Arcadia Falls experience.
Carol Goodman’s voice lures you into a seductive world of fairy tales and pagan rituals, mystery and death. She weaves the past and present story threads together well and you find yourself very present in both stories. Ms. Goodman has a knack for description and atmosphere and I very much enjoyed the small college town setting and spooky woods.
I found it slightly disappointing that there were several parallels between this story and The Lake of Dead Languages: the boarding school, a mystery from the past, and the main character’s insecurities. I also felt Meg’s love interest subplot was unnecessary and didn’t really make sense. However, the author’s turn of phrase and ability to create a story within a story will always have me coming back for more of her work. I recommend Arcadia Falls if you enjoy gothic mysteries, fairy tales and myth.
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| Refreshing concept and excellent description. |
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| Book Cover | |
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| Intriguing and certainly makes sense as you continue to read. |
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| Similarities to prior books aside, Carol Goodman's way with atmosphere, and her ability to effectively create a story within a story makes Arcadia Falls worth the read. |
(Orig. Pub. at Sweet Reads 5/27/10)
Aug 12th, 10
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The School of Essential Ingredients
by Erica Bauermeister
Berkley Trade
Paperback, 9780425232095, 272pp.
Take one look at this gorgeous cover and I’ll wager you’d love to be sitting on that beautiful bench, enjoying the scenery and life around you, holding yourself back just one more moment before heading inside so you can savor the anticipation of a delicious, sensual experience!
The School of Essential Ingredients, written by Erica Bauermeister, introduces us to Lillian and the students attending her cooking class. From an early age, Lillian was drawn to the kitchen, and discovered the magic in food and its preparation. As an adult, she shares that magic with her students and we’re lucky enough to receive some ourselves.
Each chapter in the book is devoted to a different student. Lillian chooses a new assistant from the class each week and we grow closer to that person as through each lesson they discover more about themselves, their relationship with food and the people in their lives. As we witness Lillian’s uncanny ability to read her students and nudge them in the right direction, in the kitchen and in life, I found myself wishing I could sign up for the next session.
I hesitate in giving too many details because I don’t want to spoil the fun and magic you’ll find in this nourishing and refreshing novel. It’s a quick read and you won’t regret the time you’ve spent between its covers. Erica Bauermeister’s next novel can not come soon enough!
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| A sensuous and well-crafted story you'll want to read again. |
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| Beautiful and inviting. |
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| Truly magic. You'll feel the glow, I promise! |
(Originally posted at Sweet Reads on 5/24/10.)
