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Tricks by Laura Lippman (The Dark End of the Street: New Stories of Sex and Crime)

Tricks by Laura Lippman will be my last read for Carl's R.I.P. V Challenge, considering this challenge will end on October 31st and I don't think I will be able to finish reading the rest of the short stories of this anthology over the weekend. Nonetheless, I want to say I had fun participating in this challenge (as always! Plus, Carl is a wonderful host) and this has given me the opportunity to read more short stories since I rarely read them these days.

I decided to do a wrap up post here for the R.I.P. V Challenge since October 31st marks the last day of the challenge and I don't think I will be able to read and review a few more short stories over the weekend. I am committed to read The Penguin Book of Ghost Stories for the Short Story Peril but instead I got sidetracked by other books and by the time I wanted to get into that anthology again, the interest is no longer there. Thus I picked up The Dark End of the Street with a new expectation since they are two different genres altogether.

Due to time constraint, I am not able to finish reading the whole anthology but I would get to the rest of the stories at some point. Below is a list of short stories I read for the R.I.P. V Challenge (in chronological order):

• Tricks by Laura Lippman (The Dark End of the Street)
• Me & Mr. Rafferty by Lee Child (The Dark End of the Street)
• What Was It? by Fitz-James O'Brien (The Penguin Book of Ghost Stories)
• The Old Nurse's Story by Elizabeth Gaskell (The Penguin Book of Ghost Stories)

Among these four titles, I have to say my favourites are Me & Mr. Rafferty and The Old Nurse's Story. I was wowed by the former and the latter simply creeps me out.

Before I end this post, I would like to thank Carl for hosting this fun challenge! Carl's R.I.P. Challenge is one of my favourites reading challenges and I always look forward to it this time of the year.

Did you participate and what books did you read for this challenge?

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

He was still drop-dead gorgeous, with laughing brown eyes that narrowed to slits when he smiled, but he'd lost the power to suck the air out of her lungs with just a look. He was her sister's husband, an old friend, and nothing more.

(Pg 38-39, Falling Home by Karen White)

Karen White, The New York Times Bestselling Author of On Folly Beach, tests the limits of love and the resilience of family in her highly anticipated novel, Falling Home

After arriving in New York, Cassie did everything she could to reinvent herself, from losing herself in a career to squashing her accent. But a single late-night phone call brings back everything she has tried to forget. She hasn't spoken to her sister Harriet since Cassie wiped the Georgia clay from her high-heeled pumps - not since Harriet stole Cassie's fiancé and married him. Now Harriet's on the line with the news that their father is dying.

Cassie makes the trip back, and the only thing that frightens her more than losing her father is seeing Harriet and the family who should have been hers. But she can't help loving her nephews and nieces any more than she can help feeling at home in a place where people ask how you are and actually expect to hear the truth. As she fights a surprising reaction to a forgotten friend and faces an unexpected threat to the family she left behind, Cassie comes to realize that moving on doesn't always mean moving away from who you are - and that home is a place that lives in a person's heart, waiting with open arms to be rediscovered.

Once again, Karen White shares a place that has touched her heart. In this case, it is Monroe, Georgia, which she visited years ago and which inspired the fictional town of Walton. "My parents are from Mississippi, so I've always considered myself a Southern girl," says Karen. She lived in four states and two countries before actually living in the south. "I spent most of my childhood wishing I had a home town to call my own," she notes. When she first saw Monroe, located just an hour from her Atlanta home, she recognised it as the kind of small southern community she'd always hoped to claim for herself.

Falling Home was originally published in 2002, and is being released again in November 2010 in response to the many readers who reached out after unsuccessfully searching for the out-of-print novel. It has been extensively revised for this new publication. "Readers told me they loved the story and characters, so it was hard to see what I might change," says Karen regarding the revisions. "Then it clicked. I didn't want to change the story. I wanted to change some of the writing - to take the experience and education of having written nine other novels and to work at creating a better book."

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Thanks to the author's publicist, I have one copy of Falling Home to be given away to one lucky winner! To enter for the giveaway:

• +1 Leave a comment on this post stating your name and your email address (Please also state the total number of points given).
• +1 Tweet about this giveaway.
• +1 Blog about this giveaway (posting on your sidebar is also acceptable.)

Because this book will be sent directly from the publicist, this giveaway is open to US/Canada readers only (no PO boxes, thank you!). I will be drawing for the winner on November 2nd (Tuesday), the day when Falling Home goes on sale.

Good luck!

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia from The Printed Page where readers get to share the books that came into their house last week; this month the host for Mailbox Monday is Avis of She Reads and Reads.

Here's what I received last week:

1) Nightshade by Andrea R. Cremer (bought from The Book Depository)

2) Falling Home by Karen White (from the publicist)

What books came into your house last week?

We have been trying to stay indoors whenever we can lately due to the haze, which arises from the forest fires in Sumatra but I have to say the condition has been getting better (as to date) after the heavy rains and I hope the Pollutant Standards Index reading would stay at the healthy range.

Anyway, we had a wonderful weekend despite the fact that we were housebound but we made good use of the time cleaning up and organising our stuff together. After everything was cleaned, I decided to play catch up on my DVDs watching and Before Sunrise was the choice since I haven't watched it before (gasp!) but wanted to after reading a fellow bookblogger's post about it (was it you, Sandy?).

So, Before Sunrise is unlike other romance flicks I watched in the past. For starters, you won't remember about the rest of the characters (never mind if their scenes last for merely a few seconds or a moment more) because this film only focus on Jesse (played by Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy) and the conversations they exchanged since they meet on a train and how they spent the night walking around the city of Vienna and getting to know each other.

If you are expecting for some exciting plots, then you will be disappointed because this film captures these two characters about their ideas and perspectives on love and life in general. There is nothing too fanciful about the plot but I find the storytelling style somewhat refreshing and most of all, I enjoyed hearing the two characters' perspectives and sometimes their exchanges just made me chuckle. There might be no extravagant meals or roses during their time spent together, but still I find it romantic with these two characters sharing their thoughts before they go on separate ways. There is just something nostalgic and bittersweet about the story, and oh how I loved the setting! I have never been to Europe, so it was considered an eye-opener to me watching a few landmarks in Vienna (e.g. Wiener Riesenrad Ferris wheel, and the Danube Canal etc. I even find there is a particular quality about their café, which is so traditional and well, cosy.)

I don't know about you, but I think Before Sunrise is one of the most romantic films I have ever seen. The connection (and yes, the sparks!) between Jesse and Céline is simply indescribable and most of all, I felt there is an edge of realism to this film which what made the overall such an enjoyable treat. I can't wait to see what is in store for the sequel, Before Sunset.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

ISBN-13: 9789571352558
Publisher: Reading Times
Published: October 2010
176 pgs
Illustrator: Marumi Kimura
Translator: Huang Bi Jun
Source: Personal Library



Shocked and speechless. These what sum up my reactions towards this manga after I finished reading in one sitting last evening.

If you were a teacher, what would you do if you found out that the murderer(s) of your child happens to be one of your students? Would you let their fate to be decided by the law, or would you seek revenge yourself? Between ethics and justice, which would you choose?

The story begins with teacher Yuko Moriguchi giving a farewell speech to her class of junior high students on her last day of employment. She talks to them about life and how one should value their life before she move on to her personal history, as she began to disclose how much it has deeply affected her after the death of her 4-year-old daughter. Truth be told, Yuko's purpose of sharing her personal account is not to gain sympathy from her students, for she already has a plan mapped out for two students in the class whom she believed have murdered her daughter. She has successfully planted the seed of fear to these two students by confessing that she had contaminated their milk with HIV virus. At this point, you might be wondering why those two students managed to get away from the crime scot-free. It is because they are under age 14 and they are protected by the law.

If you think she has seeked her revenge right there and put an end to the story, then you are in for a surprise for what happened thereafter I could only describe as explosive and mind-boggling. The story goes on to explore the minds behind these two students, Shuya and Naoki, and how they came about the plan of murdering Yuko's daughter. Reading about their agendas sent chills down my spine, but what most astounded me is finding out about their yearnings and how one circumstances have led to another is beyond my comprehension.

"以憎恨来报复憎恨是没有用的。有一天他们一定会知错的。相信他们，你才有办法重生啊！"
(Translated: There is no use in seeking revenge. One day they would know their mistakes. Believe in them, and you will be able to find and live your life.)

There was one passage (as above) which I liked, as it reminds me of a famous quote by Mohandas Gandhi - "An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind." But of course Confession is not only a story about revenge, but a psychological one which makes us to think and take a deeper look into humanity and the social problems we face today. Confession has been made into a film and it has been selected as the Japanese entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 83rd Academy Awards. I hope there will be an English edition of this story next. And as for this manga edition, I can only say that Marumi Kimura has totally left me in awe of her work.

Taxi, anyone?

Taipei Metro Jiantan Station
(nearest station to Shilin Night Market)

Shilin Night Market (士林夜市)

Inside Shilin Night Market where you will see many food stalls

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

I was then led through a concert of doors - smudgy revolving doors, glass doors, heavy wooden doors with frosted windows in them - and deposited in my "room", where I lay down on my bed and stared at the ceiling and started breathing really fast before I realized that there was really no point in doing that. But rather than describe the psychotic carousal of anger and deadened acceptance I experienced that night, here is a portrait of the Braddock County Juvenile Detention Center.

(Pg 10, The Patterns of Paper Monsters by Emma Rathbone)

Do you prefer hardcovers, trade paperbacks (the bigger ones), or mass market paperbacks (the smaller ones)? Why?

Honestly speaking, I love all editions as I think each is special in their own ways. I love hardcovers because they make a great collection and plus, they are more lasting. Trade paperbacks felt just right on all counts when it comes to the print and the size of the book. And I just love the mass market paperbacks for the convenience as I could always carry them around wherever I go.

The only thing that makes a great difference is the price, that's all.

What about you?

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia from The Printed Page where readers get to share the books that came into their house last week; this month the host for Mailbox Monday is Avis of She Reads and Reads.

Here's what I received last week:

1) When Rose Wakes by Christopher Golden (bought from The Book Depository)

What books came into your house last week?

ISBN-13: 9781439178232
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: July 2010
292 pgs
Source: Personal Library



Synopsis:

WHY CAN’T YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU FORGET . . . AND WHAT YOU REMEMBER?

~*~*~*~*~*

I did a joint reading with Violet of Violet Crush for this book. This is the first time I'm doing a joint reading/review with Violet and I truly enjoyed every moment of it! I definitely look forward to doing more of these with her in the near future! Without further ado, here are my questions for Violet:

1. Do you think some of the plots sound logical to you, especially on the accident and how Zoey felt thereafter? (I won’t elaborate further so as to prevent any spoilers for the readers.)

As far as the medical conditions go I do find the plot logical. I had an accident in college once and I couldn't and still cannot remember the accident and about 24 hours after that, except snippets. I had a terrible headache for days and had no idea what I was doing or thinking for 2-3 days after that. So yes, I do think it was logical.

2. How do you feel towards Zoey? I asked this because she seems like a clear-headed, independent girl to me but at times she also gave me the impression that she is confused, stubborn and insecure.

Surprisingly I was indifferent towards Zoey. I didn't like her nor did I hate her. As you said there were times when she was clear-headed and sure of herself and times when she was lets say stupid. But she just had an accident, she had some major family problems and she was a teenager. I think that should about explain most of it.

3. Do you feel any connection with the characters? And how do you feel about the relationship between Zoey, Brandon and Doug?

As I said I didn't really feel any connection to Zoey. I felt bad because she didn't have even a single friend she could trust. I liked her mother though, I wish we had gotten a little more insight into her. But then again Forget You was not about the mother. Brandon was a caricature of a school football player - popular, handsome and stupid. But he was entertaining. Zoey's relationship with Brandon? Haha, well that's something worth discussing. Didn't you just want to shake Zoey and put some sense into her?

(I totally agree with Violet here. And yes, I did want to shake Zoey at times, hehe.)

4. Following your question: Which one did you like more? Forget You or Going Too Far?

I loved Going Too Far more without a doubt. I felt the romance and the chemistry between the main characters was portrayed much better in it than in Forget You. The plot was also much better and both Meg and Cody were such lovable characters. I think what worked for Going Too Far was the simplicity of the plot. Forget You had too many things going on at one time. I felt as if the "confusion" that could have been cleared in 5 mins took unnecessary time, effort and ultimately pages. Although the writing was as awesome as ever.

5. And finally I couldn’t help asking this: Who is sexier in your opinion? Doug Fox from Forget You, or his brother, Officer Cody Fox from Going Too Far?

Cody Fox all the way. That doesn't mean Doug was not sexy. He was. But for most of Forget You Doug was in the background and we really don't get to know him for more than half of the book. Besides Cody Fox was a cop, that kind of increases the sexiness quotient, don't you think?

~*~*~*~*~*

Now go visit Violet's blog to read my answers to her questions. For my review of Going Too Far, click here. To read Violet's review of the same book, please click here.

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

Leave it to Doug to turn his response into a defensive insult. "I don't try to hide anything. People know all my business anyway, or think they do. You're just not paying attention."

Screwing up my courage, I struck right back at him. "Nobody seems to know why you went to juvie."

(Pg 146, Forget You by Jennifer Echols)

I know I hardly post anything on my weekend cooking, but I'm going to make an exception today since I discovered a dish I love last Friday when my husband and I visited a Japanese restaurant - wakame sunomono. This makes a great appetiser and I just love any dishes with cucumbers in it.

Anyway, it took me three attempts to get the dressing right for the taste. My first attempt was that I have added too much soy sauce in it, while my second attempt was having not enough soy sauce! What looks like a simple dish doesn't seem so simple after all, because the portions have to be right and well balanced. Finally, I thought the third attempt came out all right to me and I was glad that the hub and my eldest daughter loved it! She even asked me to prepare this dish again soon! (Wish I had taken a picture of it but anyway I googled the picture and this is how it looks like.)

(Photo credit)

Cut cucumber into thin rounds and set it aside. Mix vinegar, sugar and soy sauce in a bowl. Shred wakame seaweed into smaller pieces. Mix the wakame seaweed and the cucumber in a bowl and pour the dressing. Mix well and serve.

Onto an unrelated note, my husband arranged our study room over the weekend so that our PC desk and study desk are sitting side by side together. The purpose of doing so is to make more room for a new bookcase and the thought of getting a new one excites me! Currently my piles of books are stacked from the floor till almost to the ceiling at a corner of our store room, and I haven't even counted the stacks that are occupying our study room as well! Anyway, I find that the desks arrangement looks so much better than the previous one, and I can't wait to see how it will look like when my new bookcase arrives!

I also added a few books onto my pile lately (it is a habit hard to ditch!). Here they are:

1) Three Seconds by Roslund & Hellström

2) Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

3) Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

What did you do over the weekend? Hope everyone has a great week!

Now as an adult and though my feelings towards them hasn't changed, I've grown to respect and admire their zest by always putting on a smile and their best performance to their audience. Bobo's Daughter chronicles author Bonnie Barnett's journey of getting to know more about her father and searching for him as he travels to places as a circus clown.

Bonnie first met her father, Chester "Bobo" Barnett, at the circus when she was 4 years old. She knew nothing about him, and her mother did not mention much about him considering he had chose to leave them behind for his career as a world famous clown. Despite that, Bonnie was mesmerised after watching her father's performance, and she told herself she would like to get to know him better. Needless to say, her mother didn't share her sentiments and felt somewhat betrayed that Bonnie wanted to meet him. Nevertheless, Bonnie never give up her intention of reconnecting with her father throughout the years and this book is the result whereby she shares with her readers about her struggles growing up, and finally finding peace and forgiveness after what she's been through.

This memoir also covers the relationship between Bonnie and her mother, who used to be a girl clown and how she gave up her clowning career to raise Bonnie all on her own. I really appreciate the author for including a few pictures of her parents and herself in between the chapters as they enable me to glimpse more deeply of the life she's been living on top of her written words. In a nutshell, Bobo's Daughter is only only a moving memoir about reconciliation and forgiveness between a daughter and a father, but also about having hope and the courage of finding oneself and learning through experiences without giving anything up. Today, Bonnie works as a Marriage, Family, and Child Therapist and Life Coach near Durham, North Carolina.

About the Author:
Bonnie Barnett currently lives in Durham, N.C., where she owns a private, in-home outpatient therapy practice. She also works at Agape Corner where she helps at-risk children and families living below the poverty line. She holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with a minor in psychology from California State University at Los Angeles and a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University.

Taipei 101

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (国立国父纪念馆)

Statue of Sun Yat-sen

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

The prayer I had prayed - "Please help me find my father" - had been answered, but I wasn't mature enough to understand the power in my simple prayer. It was still part of my journey to put the puzzle pieces together.

(Pg 35, Bobo's Daughter by Bonnie Barnett)