“And suddenly, above that hell, the fighters saw a pigeon.  Born from bulbs of smoke, delivered from shrouds of dust, the pigeon rose, she soared.  Above the grunts and the shouts, above the whisper of shrapnel in the chill of the air, above the invisible paths of bullets, above the exploding grenades and the barking rifles and the pounding cannons.”

The story of the meaning of home, is one that we all hold dear.  Given that Meir Shalev is a Jewish author writing a novel about Israel, that concept goes much deeper.  In A Pigeon and a Boy, Shalev presents a story of Yair, and his quest for love and a home of his own.  Through Yair’s journey, we learn about Yair’s own background, how he came into being, fathered  almost magically via the delivery of a homing pigeon.  Throughout the book we learn of homing pigeons and their longing to be in the place where they are cared for and happy.  We also learn of Israel’s War of Independence – their quest for their own homeland.

Despite this novel winning the National Jewish Book Award, I wasn’t totally bowled over by it.  The story was slow and the metaphors were a little hard to follow, not being Jewish or a student of Israeli culture/history myself.  But it wasn’t a terrible read either.  It was just okay for me.  Shalev’s writing style is actually quite beautiful and descriptive, and at times it was even humorous.  The author injects a bit of magical realism, which isn’t my cup of tea, but thankfully it was kept to a minimum.  I think perhaps I would have enjoyed the novel more had I read it as part of a class, or at the very least, had a reading guide at my side.

3 1/2 stars (out of 5)
Published in 2007
311 pages

The Glorious Cause is the second book in Jeff Shaara’s narration of the American Revolution.  Having read and loved the first, I already knew what I was in for when I picked up this novel.  Wow!  Shaara is such a master at presenting history in a way that is thrilling and even, at times, nailbiting.  It doesn’t matter that we already know how the story turns out, this book is fantastic!

Again, Shaara changes perspective with each chapter, featuring such important players as George Washington, Charles Cornwallis, Benjamin Franklin, Nathaniel Greene and the Marquis de Lafayette.  Complete with maps, Shaara presents this stage of the war in a very readable progression of  military victories and defeats, as well diplomatic battles.  From cheering on Daniel Morgan to feeling giddy about the announcement of the French warships arrival in Chesapeake Bay, this book was a rip-roaring ride through the battles that determined the fate of all Americans.  Truly, everyone should read this!

5 stars (out of 5)
Published in 2002
680 pages

Bill Bryson, humorist and lover of history, science and all kinds of interesting trivia, has long been one of my favorite authors.  Ever since I picked up his very funny hiking adventure, A Walk in the Woods, I’ve been hooked.  The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid is Bryson’s childhood memoir.  He grew up during the 50′s in Des Moines, Iowa, and that reminded me a lot of my own childhood.   Most of the book consists of normal, but very funny, memories of growing up:

“The makers of sneakers also thoughtfully pocked the soles with numberless crevices, craters, chevrons, mazes, crop circles, and other rubbery hieroglyphs, so that when you stepped in a moist pile of dog shit, as you most assuredly did within three bounds of leaving the house, they provided additional absorbing hours of pastime while you cleaned them out with a stick, gagging quietly but oddly content.”

Occasionally, Bryson throws in his two cents about our society, political landscape, etc., but it’s subtle enough and witty enough not to offend you…much.  Since the book deals with childhood in the Midwest, I was surprised by Bryson’s use of profanity.  It didn’t seem to fit here.  I would have loved to recommend it to my teenaged sons, but those few “f” words made up my mind for me.  At any rate, I will say this book is hilarious.  I laughed so hard, so many times, that my children came running to see if I was alright.  It just goes to show you that a few burnt meals, and the inadvertent wearing of lime green capri pants doesn’t hold you back – at least as far as this terrific author is concerned.

4 stars (out of 5)
Published in 2006
268 pages

Suzanne is currently reading:

• Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
• A Pigeon And A Boy by Meir Shalev

Craig is currently reading:

• Paris by Edward Rutherfurd

Viper Pilot: A Memoir Of Air Combat was fun to read. I learned much about the role of the F-16CJ and the ‘Wild Weasel’ in modern fighter tactics. Hampton (and his editor) do a good job off keeping the story moving. They highlight certain flights that illustrate the world of the modern fighter pilot. He doesn’t bother discussing the economic or political reasons for the battles he fights. Hampton knows that isn’t why we’re reading the book. He also glosses over some of the military systems, which makes following some of his missions more difficult.
Hampton’s style is conversational and light, which makes for a fun and easy read but at times his bravado and attempts at humor dampen my enthusiasm for the book. I tried to keep in mind anyone crazy enough to fly the ‘Wild Weasel’ missions has to have some issues. Whereas most military pilots try to avoid ground fire and Ground-to-Air missiles, the Wild Weasel pilots seek them out in order to kill them.

B-
315 pages

This book was exactly what I needed!  I had just finished slogging through a beautifully written, but extremely dull Booker Prize nominee, and I was craving a book that would entertain me.  Caroline Leavitt’s Pictures of You fit the bill perfectly.

The story begins on a foggy, lonely road where Isabelle is driving west from the Cape, having made the decision to leave her husband.  She sees a car up ahead, but too late, she realized it is stopped, facing the wrong direction and avoiding the collision is not an option, as a child is now standing in the middle of her only exit.  The tale that unfolds is mesmerizing and haunting.  Leavitt keep you engaged with a suspense filled narrative and characters that leave a strong impression on the reader.  A perfect summer read!

3 1/2 stars (out of 5)
Published in 2011
335 pages

True Blue is a disappointing crime thriller. It started off promising and I soon got into the story but then it left me flat. Baldacci’s biggest problem is the story- it is not realistic, nor does it capture the imagination. This isn’t the book’s only problem. The characters aren’t interesting. I put the book down halfway through and I wasn’t sure I was going to pick it up again. All the characters read as roughly the same person. Baldacci still manages to write well, for a triller, but rest of the book is disappointing.

The story begins with Mace Perry, a former police officer, being released from prison. Mace thinks by solving a high profile crime she will reclaim her life as a cop. The way she goes about it makes it more likely she will die first.

C+
464 pages

“With whom else but Blacqueville might I have shared my amusement with America?  Not the Americans who looked at me at every moment as if to ask, Are you not awestruck by the wonders you behold?  Is this not a miracle?  Do you not envy this, admire that?  It was not until we approached the lower tip of Manhattan Island when my friends found matters of their own to attend to, that I could no longer be distracted from the painful fact that my pockets contained no single gold coin, nothing but a verbose letter of credit composed in English by the hand of my enemy.”

I was so looking forward to reading this one.  I had read and loved Peter Carey’s True History of the Kelly Gang, and Parrot & Olivier in America was on the shortlist for several awards.   Unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations.

Inspired by the life of Alexis de Tocqueville, Carey presents Olivier, the young nobleman who is forced to come to America as another revolution threatens France and the heads of the remaining aristocracy.  Not trusted by his family, an Englishman, Parrot, is hired to spy and simultaneously keep Olivier from harm’s way.  The stories of both Parrot and Olivier were interesting, right up until the two came together in America.  From that point on, it was confusing and a bit on the dull side.  Carey’s writing is quite good, but it really doesn’t make up for the lackluster tale here.

3 stars (out of 5)
Published in 2009
381 pages

Hitmaker: The Man And His Music; co-written by Cal Fussman

Tommy Mottola has lived a charmed life. Even his setbacks led to bigger and better things. As President of CBS/Sony Records, he played a pivotal roll in the music business. However most of the artist he worked with I have little interest in: Gloria Estefan, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, and the entire ‘Latin Explosion’. I would not have read this book except that Mottola got his start managing Hall & Oates, who I do care about. Mottola comes across as a  people person, with a good head for business. He could ‘hear’ hit records, and he could ‘see’ the direction the music business was headed. His biggest flaw was being too driven: it destroyed his first marriage. Personally I would like to have read more about the music business, but that would be another book. I would also prefer to hear about different artists on the Columbia/Song roster, but unfortunately Mottola only talks in detail about those artist listed above. He does a lot of name dropping, but the reader isn’t given any details about the authors relationship with his other artists such as: Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, Aerosmith, or even Tony Bennett.
Voices, at the end of each chapter there are a series of relevant quotes from friends, family, and the famous. It’s a nice touch.

B+
378 pages

THALIA

When we met, both of our hearts had Band-Aids on them.

In my case, it was always kind of difficult. I had been performing for so many years. People who wanted to take me out were seeing me as the character they saw on television, the person that they thought I was. I never knew if they wanted to be with me or just wanted to be in a photograph with me. And there was this whole matter of impressing me. The whole restaurant would be closed with a table just for me. One time , a guy tried to send me a Rolls-Royce with the keys. They weren’t seeing the real me.

And from a distance, a lot of people don’t see the real Tommy. When people meet him they expect to meet this character-like this strong bull or something. But once you meet him, You see that he’s a very friendly guy, very happy, with funny stories. He has very strong points of view, yet he hears what other people have to say. You come to understand: behind that strong persona is a very sensitive person. When he commits to something, to a friendship, to a love, it’s from his core.

So when we met, it was two hurt souls that just needed the authentic in this crazy world of show business. I’d felt rushed my whole life. If it was not to a soap opera, it was to a tour, or a promotion in Barcelona’ and if it was not Barcelona it was Buenos Aires. I was ready to get out of the Ferrari of that crazy, frenetic life and take a bike ride in the country.

That was what it was like when we met. One of the blessings for us was the language barrier. The language barrier made everything slow down for both of us. And then we got to know each other through the telephone.

I think the magic of getting to know one another through the telephone is it’s not how you look or what you’re wearing. It’s not about putting up the best pose or what you’re putting on your rips. It’s just about you. I thank God for that.

We came to find that we had so many similarities. I was born eleven years behind my sisters. Almost the same for Tommy. The neighborhood where I grew up in Mexico city had food stands and markets. In some ways, it was like the Bronx.

Also, Tommy and I met at a great point in our lives. Tommy was already successful. I was already successful. So we came together as equals.

But it’s kind of funny, because as perfect a sour mate as he is, there are always those moments that seem unreal. I remember at the wedding, the moment of the cake, when everybody started singing: “The bride eats the cake, the bride eats the cake…”

And it really hit me: “whoa! I married a gringo?”
-page 336, a ‘Voice‘ by Mottola’s third wife. I thought it was a good summary of Mr. Mottola.

Blue Angels: 50 Years Of Precision Flight; co-written by Marga Fritze
This book is 17-years old but the Blue Angels still fly the F/A-18 Hornet, which is a testimony to the airworthiness of the F/A-18. The book gives the history of the Blue Angels through the pilots and aircraft of this US Navy Flight Demonstration Team. It is a thin book but it does cover the highs and lows, the broad outline of their history, and details of the men and machines. It’s a good read and one that helps fill a hole caused by the Blue Angels being grounded due to budget constraints and politics. There are some good photos in the book. The Blue Angels are always photogenic, so I did expect better photos. The highlights  of the book were the quotes and stories told by the pilots themselves.

B
119 pages

Contents

     Acknowledgments
     Introduction

1946 F6F-5  Hellcats, The Birth of the Blues: "Get It Up, Get It On, Get It Down"
1946 F8F-1  Bearcats to Panther Jets
1951 F9F-5  Panther, Restarting the Team After Korea
1954 F9F-8, Enter the Cougar
1957 F11F-1 Tiger, The Blue Angels Go Supersonic
1969 F-4J,  Phantoms: Raw Power, Tragic Team Member
1974 A-4F   Skyhawk, Rebuilding the Team with "Good Solid Airmanship and Good Solid Maneuvers"
1986 F/A-18 Hornet Years (1986 to Present), The
     Behind the Scenes with the Blue Angels

     Appendix  I Aircraft Specifications and Bureau Numbers
     Appendix II Roster of Officers, 1946-95
     Index

Photographers:

John M Campbell (Complete History), Harrison Rued, William Larkins, (F11F-1)
Cormier Collection, McDonald Douglas (F-4J, F/A-18)
Karen B Haack (A-4F)
Marga Fritze (F/A-18)