2013 Summary

The final new book I read in 2013 was actually a collection of short stories that I read for my evening class on "The Hard-Boiled Detective". I thought it would be fun to take a course on fun fiction, and this course introduced me to a few new authors and some folks who also like to read. So I read, in full, The Mammoth Book of Private Eye Stories. That was book 55 for the year, so I did accomplish my goal to Read a Book a Week this year.

There wasn't much memorable this year in fiction. A good non-fiction read this year, however, was Going Clear by Lawrence Wright, an expose of Scientology's origins and practices. As one might suspect, it's a story of a massive con game, mixed with a level of intimidation that is frightening. Great that this was published, but I am sure it simply is not getting the attention that it should. One wonders how often the church tried to cover up or suppress knowledge of this book or coverage of it in the media.

Other books I read included Under the Dome by Stephen King, which I read because the book was adapted to the television show. I disliked the book enough to avoid the television show completely. Not that it was badly written, but because King shows people in all their ugliness.

Early Decision by Lacy Crawford was a book on admissions to university that I picked up because of professional interest. It is about a "coach" who helps students with their applications to elite universities. As with Admission, last year, it was an interesting background for a fairly traditional 'reexamine your life' story.

I have a few new books waiting on my shelf, but I actually am seeing out the old year and beginning the new by re-reading Shogun by James Clavell, an epic novel about Japan in the early 1600s. Ripe with culture, custom, love and war and politics, it is one of my favorite books.

Hoping for happy reading in the new year!

The Husband's Secret

Just finished this new up-and-coming novel by Liane Moriatry. In preparation for the holiday weekend, I ordered eight of the most highly-promoted new books, and this one was a stellar read. I whipped through it in a day. This is a puzzle-box of a relationship novel, set in Australia, which is a refreshing change. A lot of their daily lives are the same, but some things are new and refreshing, including the reversal of seasons.

The story is told through the point of view of three women whose lives end up intertwining. Cecelia, housewife and mother of three, with an absentminded husband, is the one who first discoverers her husband's secret.

But there is also Tess, advertising executive with a small business founded by her, her husband, and her cousin Felicity, who had grown up with Tess as if they were sisters instead of cousins. Her husband also has a secret.

And then there is Rachel, a grandmother with a grandson who has brought her back to life after her son married, but who still aches, after twenty eight years, to the loss of her daughter. The death of Janie, all those years back, plays into the finale but not at all in the way one might believe. And the justice of the end is satisfying, yet in many ways, quite unjust.

Definitely worth a read, I can see this one becoming the season's new "Gone Girl".