Friday Finds

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is saying it's being posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009, but it's actually being posted on Friday, May 8, 2009.

Friday Finds is the lovely Should be Reading meme where you post the books that you "noticed" this week and added to your TBR and/or wish list. In a lovely twist on that idea, my first book in Friday Finds is kind of a nice title, huh?

The Noticer by Andy Andrews - This recommendation came from Holly at Two Kids and Tired Book Reviews and she writes, "...The Noticer is a terrific blend of fact, fiction and allegory. Much of the wisdom gained from reading is very familiar to the reader. But, when presented in a simple story about a kind old man and his ability to influence a community of people, that wisdom becomes new and inspiring."

The Household Guide to Dying by Debra Adelaide - The lovely ladies at 5 Minutes for Books reviewed this book and their line, "...[My] first reaction was, 'Um, I think I'll pass.' I'm so glad that I resisted my urge to continue to avoid this topic, even in literary form, because Debra Adelaide has written one incredibly poignant, gripping, gut-wrenching, and yes--even humorous book..." was what sealed the deal to add it to my list.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley - This was another jem that Michael at Books on the Nightstand hyped as one of his book recommendations on a podcast. His description of the book's protagonist as, "Flavia DeLuce, an 11-year-old with a predilection for poisons," was enough to sell me (plus the good reviews it was getting at GoodReads.com).

So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones - This one got tagged on my GoodReads.com list as "Not Sure." The review that Holly did at Two Kids and Tired Book Reviews made the book seem like a good, fun YA read with a fresh twist on blended families (and she posted the first chapter of the book here to read), but the reviews on GoodReads.com aren't stellar. If anybody else has read this and wants to comment about it, feel free.

You Had Me at Halo by Amanda Ashby - This is another "Not Sure" book because I was torn between BookLuver Carol's good review and the so-so response on GoodReads. The premise of a girl who dies, but has to go back to earth because everything isn't settled and then romantic wackiness ensues sounded like a fun YA book, but I'm on the fence.

Life Without Summer by Lynne Griffin - This book about a mother's grief after her young daughter is killed in a hit-and-run accident doesn't seem like an exceptionally happy book, but the review at 5 Minutes for Books said, "as we delve into the lives of people we realize that everyone is dealing with some sort of private or public grief." It wasn't a "happy" week for 5 Minutes for Books recommendations, but poignant none the less.

I See You Everywhere by Julia Glass - I picked this one up based on the Teaser Tuesday post by Michele (Only One L). Here was her tease:

"Death is funny?"
"Sometimes, Louisa, yes. As a matter of fact."

That's good, right? Totally teased me into finding out more about the book.

This One is Mine by Maria Semple - This is another "Not Sure" book that came from another Teaser Tuesday post, this one by Beth Fish:

"There was no discernible edge to her voice. This was one of Violet's most bedeviling tactics, acting as if she was being completely reasonable and it was David who was hell-bent on ruining a perfectly fine morning. (p. 6)"

Some interesting word choice in a two-sentence snippet that harkens to good writing; it's the plot that has me wishy-washy. Do I need another story about a well-to-do couple with marital woes?

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel - This one was on my Book Lover's Page-a-Day Calendar and is a memoir of a girl raised by the town's funeral home director (who's also the high school English teacher and closet gay) that's told in a graphic novel. Not my usual cup of tea, but the panels that are available to view at Amazon.com were pretty amazing stuff (from a graphic novel point of view).

The Last Town on Earth by Thomas Mullen - My sister had recommended that I read this book (based on the back cover copy she read in a book store), thinking I'd like it, but I never got around to picking it up. Well, in Books on the Nightstand's latest podcast that did a featurette on plague-related books, they discussed this book (a story of a rural town that quarantine's itself during the 1918 Spanish Influenza epidemic and what happens when strangers try to come into town) and I'm reconsidering checking it out.

Matrimony by Joshua Henkin - I'd seen this book about two couples' lives that are intertwined around the book store and blog-o-sphere for a while, but never got quite motivated to officially put it on my list until I read the review at Barney's Book Blog and her post about their book club discussing the book with the author. If nothing else, the fact that this author takes the time to phone-in on book club discussions is awesome and he should be rewarded for his grassroots efforts.

That was a ton of books. Eleven. New one-week record?