Birds of a Lesser Paradise: Review by Carissa

     I didn't realize how much I expected out of my books until I read this one.  I kept looking for growth, a full circle, or that ah-ha moment.  Mentally I decided that rather than stories these are glimpses which allowed me to imagine happy endings.  Like most people, I want to see the goodness in other and believe that if you work hard enough things will go your way but in these stories everyone is so ordinary when faced with an opportunity to be better; not extraordinary, just improved.  It was a window into the way people behave when they think no one is paying attention or in fact no one is actually paying attention.   

     At times good things came of it like Sam tending to the homeless that worked in their community garden even though they agreed not to get personal.  I just don't see what's wrong with getting personal.  It's important to feel compassion and empathy for others. There was so much burden in the relationships. This may be unrealistic but why didn't the vet rescue the calf, when she herself had been maimed? It felt like her decision to put it down was more reflective of how she felt about herself. She could have eased the soul of a prisoner who would've never known the difference if she would have just taken the calf and handled it herself. Instead she forced him to end the life of the one thing he had to care for.  Sure, she didn't owe him that but is that what it comes down to? Why didn't the daughter attempt to take in the African Grey Parrot for her mother's sake?  She was already losing her home after the loss of her husband.  This was her companion.  It may have changed their relationship. 

     It's clear that not everyone makes a good parent or partner but there were points when even the common courtesy of decency wasn't represented.  It made me feel grateful for the relationships I have and reminded me that I need to make sure those people in my life are aware of that. 

Birds of a Lesser Paradise: Review by Barbara

    

     I love to read short stories and have many collections on my reading shelves. This author is very talented and I think if I had read the stories individually I would have enjoyed the book as a whole better than I did. I little too much animal stuff, sadness, broken families, babies as solutions, etc. all read in one huge reading binge. I did enjoy “The Urban Coop” and thought it very endearing how the street people were given celebrity names. I loved her relationship and kindness to them. I enjoyed the story of her dog Zydo 's rescue from the water and her guilt about leaving him in the boat. Another story I liked was “Saving Face”. Wow, couldn't you feel her insecurity about her fiance's love and also her devastating mistake as the vet working on a part wild dog? That's what I call WRITING!

~ Barbara

South of Broad: Review by Barbara

     I read this book a year or so ago and really loved reading it at the time. I tried to re-read, but just couldn't get into it again. I felt like I was ruining my initial enjoyment of the story or some weird feeling like that! I enjoy Conroy's writing and have read just about all of his books. THE GREAT SANTINI is my favorite, though.

~ Barbara

Emma: Review by Barbara

      "It was too dated for my taste and chronicled the total waste of spoiled rich women with nothing better to do. Doesn't mean the authorship isn't excellent."

~ Barbara

Book #8 ~ Carissa's Pick: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

I have to thank my sister-in-law for sharing this book with me a hand full of Summers ago.  It was a 'One City, One Book' selection in Danville, CA which promotes community and literacy.  She explained how she hid away on the beach in Hawaii, engrossed in this story that brought tears (of both joy and sorrow) to her eyes, while also trying to remain polite to those passing by and trying to include her in idol vacation chit chat.  We were all giggling picturing her tucked under a large brimmed hat and Hollywood sunglasses just so she could read. 

I don't normally go for books that I know ahead of time will make me cry so I put it off.  When I found myself on the beach in Hawaii a couple Summers back I thought it would be the perfect addition to my stack of mystery, romance, short stories and action novels {I bring one for every whim :)}.  It turns out that I only needed this one.  In fact I found myself putting it down because I didn't want the story to end.  

 

This is the story of Henry as a child in the 1940's then as an adult in the 1980's and it is one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read. The best way I can describe how I felt when immersed in it is like a walnut seedling, when you read it you will understand.

Wikipedia:

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is a historical fiction bestselling novel (2009) by Jamie Ford about the love and friendship of a Chinese boy and a Japanese girl during the Japanese internment in World War II.

 

"Jamie Ford's novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, tells a heartwarming story of fathers and sons, first loves, fate, and the resilient human heart. Set in the ethnic neighborhoods of WWII Seattle and Japanese-American internment camps of the era, the times and places are brought to life by the marvelous, evocative details."

– Jim Tomlinson, winner of the 2006 Iowa Short Fiction Award and author of Things Kept, Things left Behind

  

Birds of a Lesser Paradise: Review by Dorothy

South of Broad: Review by Carissa

South of Broad:

This story will be one of those that pops into my head for years to come.   Pat Conroy is an incredible story teller.  The way he describes the smallest of things makes them come to life.  I may have been at a slight advantage as I was listening to it be read to me on an CD.  His words just seemed to drip like honey.

I loved the depth that he went into about each character.  The way he would allow you a glimpse into the future and then take you back to those character building moments of youth kept me captivated.  I always wish they would go a little deeper with the background information and whenever I found myself asking a question he would eventually cover it.

The tragedy that kicked this book off is shadowed in misery without much clarification.  It really didn't need any.  Something awful happened and sometimes there isn't a reason why.  People struggle to get through terrible trials and tribulations all the time and it either makes you or breaks you.  In this case I believe it made Leo King the incredible son, friend, husband, neighbor and journalist that he was.  When the cause was reveled I was truly shocked.  The only thing that left me wanting more was the characters reaction even though there was only word that could describe it...horrified. 

This book truly had everything strive, suffering, devotion, forgiveness, love, lust, mystery, murder, triumph, kindness, humiliation, pride.  I could go on and on.  

Well done grandma!

~Carissa

South of Broad: Review by Kathy

Book # 7 ~ Shannon's Pick: Bird's of a Lesser Paradise by Megan Mayhew Bergman

I chose Birds of a Lesser Paradise by Megan Mayhew Bergman for a few reasons. First, I love short stories. Second, I thought people may like some stories more than others, giving a greater chance you won't hate the whole thing!  Third, I got the book when I was on vacation in Vermont. I like to buy a book by a local author and Bergman lives in Vermont.  Finally - I love her turn of phrase and hope you like it too. Happy Reading. 

~ Shannon