A Book Blogger's Diary

The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel The Outlander saga has captured the hearts and minds of many readers over the years. Now, in her first-ever graphic novel, Gabaldon gives readers a fresh look at the events of the original Outlander - Jamie Fraser’s side of the story, rendered by artist Hoang Nguyen. An interesting concept to be sure, but one, which in my opinion, did not live up to expectations at all.   Synopsis - After too long an absence, Jamie Fraser is coming home to Scotland—but not without great trepidation. Though his beloved godfather, Murtagh, promised Jamie’s late parents he’d watch over their brash son, making good on that vow will be no easy task. There’s already a fat bounty on the young exile’s head, courtesy of Captain Black Jack Randall, the sadistic British officer who’s crossed paths—and swords—with Jamie in the past. And in the court of the mighty MacKenzie clan, Jamie is a pawn in the power struggle between his uncles: aging chieftain Colum, who...

Our Hands help us do so many things and express our feelings. From counting, to waving to eating, to brushing to writing a letter, helping others and so much more. That's the central theme behind Max Lucado's One Hand, Two Hands . I read this book with my 3 three year old son. He actively participated in the physical part of it (wave your fingers, wiggle them etc) but when it came to how hands can help express emotions or help others, he didn't exactly get the concept. He's a year young for this book which is meant for 4-8 year olds and I'm inclined to think the latter age limit is probably better for the child to get the deeper meaning behind this seemingly simple book. The big hardcover book has plentiful, page-large illustrations to accompany the words, which are meant to rhyme, I think, but not all of them did. That did made them difficult to sing to a tune, which is what my kid and I generally like to do with rhymes. Also, Gaby Hansen's big illustrations ar...

Jennifer Crusie is one of my fave authors for romantic comedies with a core of reality. Maybe This Time (St. Martin's Press, 352p, Isbn-0312303785) is a bit different as in there is a strong ghostly element to the story and there are 2 children who are central to the storyline, in addition to the protagonists. And in her own inimitable style, Crusie crafts a spooky tale that's certain to hold readers spellbound. Ever since divorcing her husband North Archer, Andie Miller has been drifting from place to place, job to job, almost as if running from life. Even her new fiance is unable to settle her down. When Andie goes to North for closure, he sets her an intriguing challenge - to take care of 2 problematic children whose guardianship has fallen to him. They live in a haunted house, behave most erratically and have driven off multiple nannies in hysterics, and things are just starting to get worse. Telling herself she's going for the sake of the poor orphaned children, Andi...

Dying for Mercy 400p, Avon Reprint Edition, Isbn-0061286125 Synopsis - The recently renovated Pentimento, located in New York's exclusive moneyed enclave of Tuxedo Park, is no ordinary estate. Strange secrets have been ingeniously built into its fountains, frescoes, statues, and architecture—clues to a bizarre mystery that is first brought to light when the owner commits suicide during a lavish gala. Eliza Blake, co-anchor of the popular morning television show KEY to America, is present when the party is cut short by the host's sudden, macabre death—and she's the first to discover that Pentimento is a giant "puzzle house." But each piece is leading Eliza and her KEY News colleagues—producer Annabelle Murphy, cameraman B. J. D'Elia, and psychiatrist Margo Gonzalez—deeper into darkness, toward a killer who believes that some puzzles must never be solved. And it soon becomes shockingly clear that no amount of wealth or privilege can keep the residents of Tuxed...