The Corruptible

The Corruptible by Mark Mynheir
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Corruptible was an enjoyable book. The main protagonist, Ray Quinn, and the rest of the characters are believable enough. But, the book reads like an extended episode of CSI. The first half of the book is meant to build up the characters and the crime scenes. The second half is for the readers to try to figure out "who dunit" before the pages reveal who the bad guys are. Fun summer read, not a life-changing tome.



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The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm a sucker for books with dogs, especially dogs that think and comment on the events around them. And "The Art of Racing in the Rain" has everything I want from a book; dogs, cars, humor, sadness, and wisdom.

The readers are observing the lives of Enzo the dog's humans through Enzo's eyes. He watches the lives of his family through its ups and downs. I felt the happiness Enzo felt. I endured the sadness that he endured. The frustration of not being able to truly communicate with the humans in his life emanated from the pages of the book. I was experiencing everything with Enzo through Mr. Stein's words.

I laughed. I cried. Yup, I'm a sucker for books with dogs.



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Of Tapestry, Time and Tears

Of Tapestry, Time and Tears by Carol Morgan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The 700+ page book looked daunting at first. However, I was enthralled from the first page. All the characters were realistic, especially the main protagonist, Edwina Kleberg. Ms. Morgan artfully weaved Edwina's trials and tribulations into the events of the the twentieth century, especially those of India. I was able to experience the entire range of feelings while reading Of Tapestry, Time and Tears. I felt like I lived Edwina's life when I finished the last page.

There were some proofreading errors in my copy of the book. I think that was just some oversight in the advanced copy. Somehow, these errors made the story more real. They made me feel like I was reading a real person's manuscript, that I was allowed to looked into her private life.


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Idiot America

Idiot America: How Stupidity Became a Virtue in the Land of the Free by Charles P. Pierce

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

When I saw the title and read the book description, I had high hope that it will demonstrate the general decline of the American intelligence. But, the book barely had enough logic linking one chapter to another. The author used James Madison as the vehicle to link one American idiocy to another. I guess I'm not familiar enough with President Madison to understand why he was a good choice for the author. Also, Mr. Pierce made many references in his dissertation that I didn't understand. Maybe I am another indicator of the decline of America.

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Shanghai Girls

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a book that solidifies the reason I enjoy historical fictions. I learn about events that are normally not written or discussed in the typical history classes. And the lessons are surrounded by characters that I truly cared about. Lisa See painted beautiful pictures of Shanghai pre-WWII and the stark reality of what Chinese-Americans encountered when arriving in a new promising country (Gold Mountain).

The story reminded me of Amy Tan's Joy Luck Club because the setting shares the similar time period in Chinese history. The main characters are women who have to overcome adversity. But, Lisa See's book has unique enough storyline to make it a worthwhile read.


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Pottie Training - Nah

There are certain milestones that every child will reach; solid foods, first word, first steps, saying bye-bye to diapers. My little girl is at the stage where pottie training is the next milestone on the agenda. So far, she still prefer the Pampers. She knows what a toilet is. She tells me that "brown poop going down there". But, she's not using it.

I don't blame her, it's me. I'm not very enthusiastic about getting her pottie trained. I kinda like the convenience of the diaper. Case in point. Our little family took a long weekend trip to Washington DC. The drive was about 5 hours each way. We only had to stop once because I needed to go to the bathroom. My girl was content sitting in her seat looking at the passing scenery or playing with her iPhone. We didn't have to succumb to her nature-call requests. And, on our hours long tours of the museums and monuments in DC, we didn't have to hunt for bathrooms or worry that she will wet herself. It is just so easy.

I know, I know. She and I will have to transition out of the diaper. I am not in too much of a rush. I promise that she will not be wearing a diaper when she starts high school.

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