Asensi, Matilde.
Everything under the sky.
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Armstrong, Kelley.
Bitten: A Novel
This is a fresh new voice debuting with her first werewolf novel, but no run-of-the-mill horror tale here. Continue »

Berg,Elizabeth.
Ordinary Life: Stories

Elizabeth Berg Open House, 2000) has an uncanny ability to examine the undeniable spirit of women through her characters. One hardly ever encounters one of them who is not caught at a crossroads, facing the one moment in their lives when they have the opportunity to examine their lives and either overcome whatever obstacles they face or make peace with what their lives have become. Her latest outing is no different. In Ordinary Life, Berg tells fifteen stories. Perhaps the most moving is the title story, told in the first chapter. Mavis McPherson is in her seventies and is finally taking stock of her life. Too frugal to spring for a spa vacation and unwilling to distress her family too much, she has taken up residence in the bathroom. With a bathtub stuffed full of blankets and pillows, a stack full of magazines, a journal and a limited amount of snacks, she declares to her husband that she is “on retreat.” Mavis has pronounced that she will stay in the bathroom for an entire week. Her husband is sure she’s flipped her lid or has finally come down with Alzheimer’s, but that’s not the case at all. Mavis has merely decided that she needs some time for reflection. She wants to relive the moments in her life that have meant something to her. She knows that without physically removing herself from her day to day responsibilities, she will be unwilling to give herself the time she needs.

The other stories in this collection are just as moving. The fallout of a wife’s affair, coping with a parent who has Alzheimer’s, a woman and her bird that simultaneously have cancer, these are all of the events that live within the covers of this book. Berg’s greatest talent is in the ability to make the ordinary, extraordinary. At times too painful to swallow, Ordinary Life will alternately make you cry and laugh. You may find yourself having to put it down, but you’ll also find yourself longing to pick it up again.

Originally written by Nanci Milone Hill, March 18, 2002.

Clive Barker.
The Thief of Always

Welcome to the Holiday House. A place where a child’s wildest dreams come true everyday. A place of fun and games 24/7. Sounds like the greatest escape any child could ever ask for. So thought poor Harvey. Young Harvey was looking for a way to escape from his life. He was tired of the same old thing day after day. Harvey wanted fun and adventure. One night opportunity flew into his window, and Harvey ends up at Holiday House where he found his escape. Over time, Harvey discovers that Holiday House is not everything it seems to be. He realizes that this picture perfect heaven has a darker side.

Clive Barker has written a wonderful tale of magic, but in every bit of magic lurks a little bit of evil.

The Thief of Always would be enjoyed by all ages. Barker writes what seems to be a child’s book, and the book can be enjoyed by children; however, the book is very thought provoking for teenagers and adults as well. The book appeals to all audiences. I recommend The Thief of Always to anyone looking for a good fantasy novel.

Originally written by Jason Leighton-November 9, 1998