49. The Wonderful World of Oz by L Frank Baum

Challenges

Book Around the States - Kansas

I chose this book for my Kansas book even though very little of it takes place in that state. Even so, how many of you think of Oz when Kansas is mentioned?

The first thing you encounter in this edition is a long, tedious introduction by J T Barbarese, a children's literature professor. How can people claim to say that's why the author said this or this is the secret meaning behind that? I was annoyed. Plus, he did many comparisons to the 1939 movie with Judy Garland. I understand better after reading the book but I thought he dwelt too much on the movie. Having said that, it is immediately apparent after starting the actual book that the movie is very different. I wonder how I would have felt about the book if I had never seen the movie. It does color your perceptions. The characters are a little flat. Dorothy is a ten-year-old girl who wants to go home to Kansas although you never get a feeling that she is that attached to her home. I did like the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion very much. They are not cartoonish as the movie portrays them. In fact, the Scarecrow is very smart, the Tin Man very caring and the Lion is very brave. They just don't see those qualities in themselves. Maybe Baum is saying we need to recognize our abilities and accept who we are. Or maybe it's just like he said in an interview that he wanted to write a "modernized fairy tale." It seems the book was taken from stories he would tell small children while working at his store. That seems to fit as the narrative is so simple and straightforward just like it was being told to children. It's not the least bit scary (I was terrified of the Witch in the movie) and the action moves from one scene to the next very quickly. Still I found it quite charming to read; and the illustrations were great fun.

Rating: 4

48. Damien the Leper by John Farrow

Challenges

Book Around the States - Hawaii

While visiting Tahiti, Hollywood film director, John Farrow, was inspired by the life of Father Damien, a priest who spent the last fourteen years of his life in a leper colony in the Hawaiin islands. His book follows the priest from his early childhood in a small village in Belgium, through his training to be a merchant, the change to the priesthood and his posting to Hawaii. After serving in two different locations where he was extremely succesful, he volunteered to transfer to the leper colony on the island of Molokai, knowing he would stay there the rest of his life. Farrow's descriptions of conditions in the colony are quite harrowing as are those of the inhabitants. It is easy to understand why the disease is so dreaded. Unfortunately, the book wasn't all that interesting to me. Damien was certainly an admirable character with his immense energy and drive, but I never felt a true connection to him. I did do some further research on leprosy and the islands, which was interesting, but was quite glad when the book was over.

Rating: 3

47. In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd

Challenge

Book Around the States

Indiana

Jean Shepherd's humorous story reminded me a great deal of Bill Bryson's book, The Thunderbolt Kid. He tells about Ralph's growing up in a steel town in northern Indiana during the Great Depression. It's hilarious what trouble boys can get into. I really like the format Shepherd used for telling the story. Ralph is visiting his old hometown of Hohman, Indiana to do a story about where he grew up. He feels vaguely superior after living in New York City for many years. When he finds his old friend, Flick, at his bar; they being to reminisce about their younger days. Ralph then tells the story behind each memory. As the afternoon passes, the two become drunker and maybe more maudlin; but it seems like the conversation any couple of friends meeting after many year would have. At first, Shepherd uses the stories to show how right Ralph was in leaving Indiana behind; but towards the end, he becomes more nostalgic for those glory days. I enjoyed reading about simpler times and how people coped with the problems of that depression. They kept on going, continued to have good times, and did the best they could.

This quote reminded me of the stories parents tell of walking to school in snowdrifts up to their waists, uphill both ways. It made me chuckle to picture school kids bundled up in about forty layers of clothing for protection in sub-zero weather: "Scattered out over the icy waste around us could be seen other tiny befurred jots of wind-driven humanity. All painfully toiling toward the Warren G. Harding School, miles away over the tundra, waddling under the weight of frost-covered clothing like tiny frozen bowling balls with feet. An occasional piteous whimper would be heard faintly, but lost instantly in the sigh of the eternal wind."

Ralph's memory of the Christmas he wanted a BB gun was absolutely priceless. I also laughed when 10-year-old Ralph writes a book report for his beautiful teacher, knowing this is the report that will convince her that Ralph is her one and only. The book is the one he finds on his parents' nightstand and is more than a little racy. Of course, in that era, a ten-year-old boy has no idea what he just read. And the blind date story that Ralph grudgingly agrees to go on to help out his friend. The girl turns out to be gorgeous, and Ralph talks incessantly in an effort to impress her. At the end he realizes that he is actually the blind date. Good times.

Rating: 4

46. Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman

I finally finished the last book that Cassie gave me for Christmas last year. It's a book of short stories so I just read it at my leisure. Actually it became my bathroom book.

"Stories, like people and butterflies and songbirds' eggs and human hearts and dreams, are also fragile things, made up of nothing stronger or more lasting than twenty-six letters and a handful of punctuation marks. Or they are words on the air, composed of sounds and ideas--abstracts, invisible, gone once they've been spoken--and what could be more frail than that? But some stories, small, simple ones about setting out on adventures or people doing wonders, tales of miracles and monsters, have outlasted all the people who told them, and some of them have outlasted the lands in which they were created." Author's Introduction

I've said this before but, I think Neil Gaiman may have one of the most gifted but twisted minds in the world. He writes absolutely beautifully. I've never really liked short stories until I read these. It's amazing to me how quickly you can be drawn into a story, go through a wide gamut of feelings and then reach a satisfying conclusion. Gaiman also includes some poetry that I skipped. That's right, I don't read much poetry. I loved the introduction in which Gaiman talks about each story. Sometimes he tells why he wrote it (one was a birthday present for his daughter) or his feelings about it, etc. I was always going back to the introduction when I started or finished a story. Of the thirty-one selections in these book, my favorites were: "October in the Chair", a story about the twelve months holding their annual meeting at which October is this year's chairperson; "Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire", a humorous story of a writer who hates what he is writing; and "Monarch of the Glen", the longest story in the book about a traveler who visits northern Scotland and becomes caught up in a really odd ritual. There were a few stories I really didn't like. They were either too gory, macabre, or just plain creepy. But even in those stories, Gaiman sets the tone and draws you in. He really is a fascinating personality. Rating: 4.5

45. The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett

The Light Fantastic is Terry Pratchett's second Discworld novel and follows the adventures of Rincewind and his friend, Twoflower. The two are miraculously rescued from falling off the rim of Discworld and are now faced with saving the world and its inhabitants from a quickly approaching red star. As they make their way back to the city of Ankh-Morpork, they meet all kinds of fantastic, strange or dangerous characters. I like Rincewind much better in this book. He is still a coward but always finds a way out of danger. Of course, he gets a lot of help from The Luggage and the eighty-seven-year-old hero, Cohen the Barbarian. The whole result is just hilarious. I love how Pratchett personifies just about every inanimate object with such humor. It's a great book. I look forward to continuing on with the series. Just not all at once. Rating: 4.5

44. The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen (Audio)

This abridged version was perfect for a trip to Salt Lake and back. And it was a pretty good abridgement; not too choppy and not missing a lot of important facts. (At least, none that I know of) The story starts with Julia, who buys an old home after her divorce, and digs up a skeleton in her planned garden spot. The story then moves to a Boston hospital in 1830, where women are dying after giving birth. After a description of the unclean conditions, you quickly understand why. shudder . . . There are a few gory details when people start getting murdered and an amputation is performed. But I enjoyed reading about Julia and her research to learn about what happened to the people who lived in her home 180 years earlier and finding out who the murderer actually was. The identity of the bones found in the garden was not revealed until the very last but it was kind of obvious. There is a modern-day romance and a 1830 romance that were pretty rushed probably because of the abridgement, but that's okay. All in all, a good medical mystery and an interesting look at more primitive medical beliefs and practices. As always, I enjoy the way Gerritsen writes. I really need to get back to her Jane Rizzoli series. Rating: 4.25

43. The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett

I have read other Pratchett books, loved them, and decided it was time to read the very first one. I enjoyed reading descriptions of key characters and continents and other explanations for some of the things going on in the Discworld series. I found this information to be very helpful because there really is a lot going on. And I am totally blown away by the scope of Pratchett's imagination and humor. Having said all that, I will say this book was not as good, in my opinion, as the two I read featuring Moist von Lipwig. Probably because I liked Moist better than the wizard, Rincewind, and the tourist, Twoflower. And there really was so much going on, it kind of lost some impact for me. Minor criticisms because the book was still fun to read. I am now reading The Light Fantastic which continues with Rincewind's story.

Rating: 4.25

42. The Night Journal by Elizabeth Crook

Challenges

Book Around the States

New Mexico

"In the 1890s, Hannah Bass, a Harvey girl working a remote hotel in New Mexico meets, and then marries, a famous surveying engineer for the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, a man patterned after William Raymond Morley, the discoverer of Glorieta Pass. The political conflicts of pre-statehood New Mexico, the ever-expanding Santa Fe, and the disappearance of Hannah's husband all weave into a story in the present day, involving Hannah's granddaughter and her discovery of a legendary, long-missing journal written by Hannah. " Alexander Craghead, Review posted on Amazon

I'm cheating again with someone else's review, but it was so nice and succinct. And it was not as easy for me to summarize the book. I did enjoy the historical aspects of this novel and the facts about that part of New Mexico, a state I have never visited. The characters were not as easy to like. Meg, the great-granddaughter, lives her life by reacting against the dictates of her domineering grandmother, Bassie, Hannah's daughter, who first published the journals. Their fights and tirades were tedious. However, a mystery is uncovered when a man's bones are excavated at the site where Bassie's dog was supposed to have been buried. Discovering who that man is and what really happened to him was a very compelling component of this book. I also enjoyed Crook's writing style which made the characters and scenery come alive.

Rating: 4

41. Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn

Silent in the Grave is the first in a series starring Lady Julia Grey. I believe there are two more completed novels, but don't know how many are planned. The first two sentences of the book grab your attention immediately: "To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband's dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor." At first, I didn't care for the two main characters much. Julia is too meek and innocent and Nicholas is too cranky. But they grew on me. I especially liked that Julia is not immediately beautiful and intelligent. She is quite brave and impetuous but does some really dumb things. There is a great deal of attraction between her and Nicholas but the author wisely draws this out. In this book, they kiss only once but I'm interested enough to continue reading the series to see how they will eventually get together. The investigation into the mystery itself takes quite a while to get going. I think the book would have been much better if some of the extraneous information had been deleted. Julia has an eccentric family which may explain why so many of her behaviors are not what you would expect of a Victorian aristocrat, but she still pushes your belief. Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the next one. Rating: 4

40. Daddy's Girl by Lisa Scottoline (Audio)

Book Around the States

Pennsylvania

Thanks to Booklogged for suggesting Lisa Scottoline's books for my Pennsylvania. I had this audio on the shelf and took a trip to Provo and back which it fit in perfectly. This audio version was wonderfully narrated by Kate Burton. She voiced the main character, Nat, so well that I really liked her in spite of the fact that she lets everyone push her around. It's a great mystery and a gripping thriller . . . lots of suspense and danger. Just the kind of book to keep you awake on an afternoon drive. In the course of trying to maintain her own life and prove herself innocent of murder, Nat grows up and learns to stick up for herself. I just didn't care for the way the book ended; and I didn't really like Angus Holt, the man Nat falls. Still, it did contain some descriptions of the Westchester County, PA which satisfies my state challenge.

Rating: 4

39. West with the Night by Beryl Markham

I became interested in this book when it was described as being about the first woman who flew across the Atlantic traveling eat to west against the Atlantic winds. If I had known how much it involved Africa, I might not have read it, never feeling a lot of interest in that continent. What serendipity!! This is one of the best memoirs I've ever read and I found Markham's descriptions of Africa to be poetical and breathtaking. I read on Wikipedia that there are questions as to whether she is the actual author. Whoever wrote it did a fantastic job. I suspect another writer would probably have included more of her racy life. The book is full enough with Markham's adventures as a horse trainer and a pilot in the late 20's and early 30's. The flight across the Atlantic was hair raising. And the whole book is quite the ode to Kenya. Here are some passages that I marked to illustrate the exquisite writing.

"Competitors in conquest have overlooked the vital soul of Africa hereself, from which emanates the true resistance to conquest. The soul is not dead, but silent, the wisdom not lacking, but of such simplicity as to be counted non-existent in the tinker's mind of modern civilization."

"How can I compare a race like this to music? Or how can I not? Will some perfectionist snug in the arms of his chair under the marble eyes of Beethoven shudder at the thought? I suppose so, but if there's a fledging juggler of notes and cadences, less loyal to the stolid past, who seeks a new theme for at least a rhapsody, he may buy a ticket at any gate and see how they run. He will do what I cannot. He will transpose and change and re-create the sound of hooves that pelt like rain, or come like a rolling storm, or taper like the rataplan of fading tympani."

"You could expect many things of God at night when the campfire burned before the tents. You could look through and beyond the veils and see shadows of the world as God first made it and hear the voices of the beasts He put there. It was a world as old as Time, but as new as Creation's hour had left it. In a sense it was formless. When the low stars shone over it and the moon clothed it in silver fog, it was the way the firmament must have been when the waters had gone and the night of the Fifth Day had fallen on creatures still bewildered by the wonder of their being."

I think I'm going to find a biography about Beryl Markham and learn more about her. Rating: 5

38. No, I Don't Want to Join a Book Club: Diary of a Sixtieth Year By Virginia Ironside (Audio)

Marie Sharp is about to turn 60, and unlike many of her peers, she has no interest in taking up paragliding or living for three months with a Masai tribe in Africa. She's intent on accepting this new phase of her life, which brings with it the freedom to do old things, such as getting a pension and free prescriptions and, as her neighbor helpfully points out, "tekkin' it eezee, man." Marie, in fact, has such an easygoing attitude toward aging that her friends are constantly inviting her out to dinner and on vacation. She's also excited about becoming a grandmother and babysitting for her grandchild, who has "the air of a very clean goblin" given to "laughing rather inappropriately." And though Marie has declared herself done with romantic entanglements, there's a very kind old friend, recently widowed, who has a crush on her. For Marie, old age is looking pretty wonderful. Ironside is pretty wonderful herself, offering a witty and, at times, poignant depiction of the challenges and freedoms that come with getting older. Joanne Wilkinson Copyright © American Library Association. This was such a fun book to listen to. I laughed out loud when Marie questions her doctor about her knees hurting because of her age. She's never taken exercise so her knees should be in "like-new" condition. She was a true child of the sixties but now thinks all those drugs were wasted on your youth when they could be so much better used now that she's sixty. And all the parts about being a grandma went right to my heart. If the author had left out all the references to sex at sixty (eeewww, I'm fifty-three so I can eeewww if I want), it would have been much better for me. Also, the profanity is always jarring in an audio version. Rating: 4.25

Mrs. Shumak's Boarding House by Marty Kam

I got this book to satisfy my need for a book from Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, I couldn't finish it. Mrs. Shumak's family has owned the house for 150 years and it is falling down around her. In order to save the house from an avaricious developer, she must find the money to do massive repairs. Supposedly this book is humorous and heartwarming, but I never found it in the 82 pages I did read. So I gave myself permission to put it aside and move on to the next book. I still need a book from Pennsylvania and hope I find something more to my taste. Rating: DNF

36. - 37. Two Audios by Stuart Woods

Wolf Willet is a successful Hollywood producer living in Santa Fe. When he reads about his brutal murder along with his partner and wife, he knows things aren't right. Hiring the best defense attorney in Santa Fe, Ed Eagle, he goes to the police and quickly becomes the chief suspect of a triple homocide. Together the two set about to prove Wolf's innocence, even though he remembers nothing about that night.

Jesse Warden, a former federal agent, is in prison for stealing money and murdering his partner. Suddenly the Justice Department pulls him out of prison and offers him a complete pardon if he will infiltrate an Aryan church stronghold located in Idaho. Jesse assumes a new identity and heads to Idaho where he plans the downfall of the charismatic head of the church.

I had a hard time with these audio books. True, they are abridged, but there is so much of the story cut out that they make no sense. Both books include romances, but there seems to be no rhyme or reason behind them. Also, it's hard to believe how quickly Jesse infiltrates the church and becomes a trusted member. I'm not sure if I would have liked the books better if I had listened to a less cut-up version, but it is possible. The narrator, Tony Roberts, did a great job. His gravelly voice seemed perfect for this genre.

Rating: Santa Fe Rules 2.75, Heat 2.5

35. The Smithsonian Institution by Gore Vidal

Book Around the States Challenge

District of Columbia

"T. is 13 in 1939 and possesses, albeit unknowingly, the secret formula that will complement Einstein's theory and possibly alter the outcome of history as we know it. Because of his doodles on an algebra exam, the powers that be (and readers are never quite sure until the end who the powers are) arrange for him to be deposited at the doors of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Once inside, he is seduced in the Native American exhibit by a charming young thing he calls Squaw, but who turns out to be Frankie Cleveland, one of the women (a very young one) from the First Ladies exhibit. He soon realizes that the Institution contains many exhibits that come alive when the doors close, as well as laboratories for secret experiments. In his travels, he soon understands that he can visualize mathematical possibilities and respond to Einstein, Oppenheimer, and other scientists who are closed up in the museum along with a lobotomized Abraham Lincoln and even a statue representing T., killed in action during World War II. Obviously, much belief must be suspended and the time-travel episodes and glances at history both as it was and might have been are convoluted, but Vidal does know his American history. Through this disjointed, lightweight page-turner, readers pick up a historical awareness, especially of the presidents, almost painlessly. T.'s coming of age and subsequent romps with Frankie are risqu?, but all in fun and might be a further inducement to read on. An intriguing introduction to Vidal as well as enjoyable historical fiction." Susan H. Woodcock, Kings Park Library, Burke, VA Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

I can't even begin to describe this book except as a mixture of time-travel, sci-fi, historical fiction, satyr and a bit of "Night at the Museum." And I had a hard time following the line of the story at times. Even so, I found Vidal's writing to be enjoyable and humorous; the tidbits about past presidents and other historical figures were fascinating; and the sexual encounters, blech. I think I may have to read some of Vidal's historical fictions. Any suggestions? I also thought this was a great book to read for D.C. Even though I've been to the Smithsonian, there is obviously a lot there that I missed. Rating: 3.75

34. A Dilly of a Death by Susan Wittig Albert

Challenge

Book Around the States

Texas

I have always enjoyed the China Bayles mystery series. I can't remember how many I've read, and it's probably been over a year since the last one; but they are fun and interesting mysteries. As you may know, China is a former defense attorney who cashed it all in to open a herbal shop called "Thymes and Seasons" in the town of Pecan Springs, Texas. A Dilly of a Death has the usual complement of eccentric characters who amuse and entertain the reader. The characters also seem to embody the spirit of Texas to me. In this book, the rich owner of the town's pickle factory disappears along with her much-younger boyfriend just before the annual Pickles Days Festival. Soon she is found dead, and China and her friend, Ruby, become involved in solving the murder as well as a series of robberies that have taken place. To make the books even more fun to read, the author includes recipes that fit along with the story as well as tidbits about the title herb. How does "Lavender Scones", "Rose Geranium Pound Cake", or "Dilled Beer Bread" sound?

Rating: 4

33. The Woodsman's Daughter

Book Around the States

Personal Challenge

Georgia

This is one of those eipc stories that follow three generations. Monroe Miller is the father of two daughters, the beautiful Dahlia and blind Nellie Ann. He owns thousand of acres of pine trees whose sap he uses to make turpentine. Unfortunately, Monroe has a serious drinking problem, low social connections; and committed adultery once with disastrous results for himself and his family. After her parents' and sister's death, Dahlia is left almost penniless. She moves to another town and begins her search for a rich husband. Her first marriage is a mess, resulting in the birth of a son, Marion, who she loves but is unable to show that love. Her second marriage to a sweet, gentle man gives her the daughter she always wanted. She is overprotective of Clara Nell but also spoils her rotten, leading to . . . you guessed it . . . disastrous results. Clara Nell decides to break out of the net her mother has created around her with . . . disastrous results. Overall, I didn't care for this story very much. There were a couple of characters who played small parts in the story that were sympathetic, but mostly, I found the characters to be incredibly flawed and unlikeable. Even though the story begins in the 1880's and ends in the 1920's, it didn't create a feeling for those time periods. I do think the author did a good job making me feel the atmosphere of Georgia with its hot and humid climate versus the pouring rains or the rare light snowfalls. Rating: 2.75

32. North River by Pete Hamil

North River is a beautifully told story about a doctor serving the lower-incomed people in his neighborhood along with the occasional mobsters in the later 1930's of New York City. A flawed but caring man, Delaney moves from day to day in a cloud resulting from his wife's abandonment and his daughter's pregnancy and marriage a few years earlier. He fills his lonely days by caring for those around him. He returns one day to find his daughter has left his grandson, Carlito, at his house while she searches for her missing husband. His anger at his daughter intertwined by his wonder at the gift that is Carlito are wonderfully dewcribed and so believable. Rosa enters his life as a housekeeper and nursemaid but soon becomes much more to the doctor. Color is added to his life and he finds reason to truly live his life. Then Delaney becomes involved in a gang war that threatens not only his life, but that of Carlita and Rosa. Sometimes his decisions may not be the most ethical but they are the ones that will keep his family safe. This story runs the gamut of suspense, deep emotions, a sense of community, romance and tragedy. Just as absorbing is the backdrop of 1930's New York City. And the wonder of the a three-year-old boy as he is introduced to the sights of that city was absolutely charming. I really enjoyed this book. Rating: 4.75

31. The Last Promise by Richard Paul Evans

I have had three books by Richard Paul Evans sitting on my shelves for ages. Avoided them like the plague and couldn't remember why I had bought them. The fact is that I don't care for romances very much and I remember Evans' bestseller, The Christmas Box, as being a little too sweet for my taste. However, a few weeks ago, the author visited Vernal and spoke at an LDS women's conference; and I was absolutely charmed. He is a fantastic speaker, both humorous and motivational. If you ever have the chance to hear him speak, don't miss it. I was motivated to read those books sitting on the shelf and picked this one first.

Richard is sitting by a pool in Italy and strikes up a conversation with the beautiful woman sitting next to her. (I assume that Richard is the actual author but I believe the story is pure fiction as I will point out shortly.) He remarks that he is from Utah and she laughs because she is from Vernal, Utah. He says, "Vernal is a small town in the eastern desert of Utah: a stop on the way to someplace else. Even in Utah I had never met anyone from Vernal." Okay, I was a little offended. Yes, I live in the eastern desert of Utah, but Vernal is not that small. But it's when he talks about Eliana's graduating class of 36 that I was miffed. My son's graduating class had 500. You'd think that a writer would check out a place that is only a three hour drive from where he lives before writing about it. Or at least get on the internet and find out it's not just a tiny cow town on the edge of nowhere. It just doesn't make sense to get something so easy wrong. There are a couple of towns near here that might be that small. Why not use one of them? Sorry, that kind of error bothers me. If I had known, I would have read one of his other books first.

Back to the book, Eliana's shares her love story with Richard and that is the basis for the rest of the novel. She is unhappily married to an Italian count who is unfaithful and insensitive. Painting and caring for her young asthmatic son fill her hours. When she meets Ross, all that changes and they quickly fall in love. Naturally there is conflict and turmoil; but, like most romances, it ends happily. I admit that I am not a fan of romances because they are too sweet and implausible. And this book is both. However, there was no sex (Thank you, Mr. Evans) and the conflicts were believable and added a lot to the story. The ending was just too pat. I did enjoy the descriptions of the Tuscany countryside and Florence, adding one more to my list of places to visit. And I was interested in his descriptions of Alessio's asthma attacks since my grandson was just diagnosed with mild asthma. For a romance, this book was pretty good. I liked the characters except the husband who was such an obvious cad. I will probably read those other two Evans books but I need a good dose of something salty first.

Here's a couple of Italian proverbs that I really liked from the book:

"Love is blind. Marriage restores one's vision."

"The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but its echo endures much longer."

Rating: 3

30. Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man by Fanny Flagg

Book Around the State

Personal Challenge

Mississippi

In 1952, Daisy Fay is eleven and about as precocious as a child can get. She is pretty naive and always commenting on things that embarrass her parents. And her parents fight constantly mostly because her father drinks so much. It obvious they love Daisy, but it's still a pretty dysfunctional family. There are some pretty humorous anecdotes in the book, more when the story jumps to Daisy's high school life; but it was still kind of flat to me. I found it just okay.

Rating: 3.75