My friend Angella Nazarian has come out with a unique, captivating new book. I picked up Life as a Visitor to read one night and simply couldn’t put it down. Although I’ve known Angella socially for about ten years (our husbands are friends), I had no idea of her story and I just couldn’t believe that this pretty, polished, confident, smart woman had been through such a trying time – nor did I know of dull ache in her heart.
My sister-in-law gave this book for me for Christmas, saying “I know you love dogs and I think you’ll enjoy this story as its told from a dog’s point of view.” Well, let me point out immediately, this sounded not only hokey, but also weird. I picked up the book one night and quickly discovered, I was dead wrong. Bottom line: I loved this book.
If you haven't heard of this movie, you soon will. The Visitor is being touted as an Oscar contender for best drama and for best actor (Richard Jenkins). I, quite frankly, had never heard of it when my husband turned it on at 10pm last night. Although it was released in April, I was completely unfamiliar with it. So, the only expectation I had was that I'd fall asleep before the final credits. However, I was riveted from the get-go and have chalked The Visitor up as the best drama I've seen, so far, this year.
Seven years
after his debut, award-winning short –story collection, For the Relief of
Unbearable Urges, Nathan Englander published his much anticipated first
novel, The Ministry of Special Cases. It’s set in 1976, at the outset of
Argentina’s Dirty War, in which nearly 30 thousand people “disappeared” at the
hands of the military junta.
LA-based Book Club Moderator Beverly Seehoff highly recommends this book, “To me, the book is outstanding for
Continue reading "Book of the Moment: The Ministry of Special Cases" »
If you enjoyed Loving Frank by Nancy Moran, you might want to pick up a copy of Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner. Published in 1987, the book traces the lives, loves and aspirations of two couples who move between Vermont and Wisconsin, giving powerful insight into the alchemy of friendship and marriage.
As popular, LA-based book club moderator Beverly Seehoff puts it “Stegner’s writing is so elegant and the characters are so multi-dimensional. You feel like you’re in the hands of a master craftsman.”
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