I see the Light

Hello Readers.

The Light Between the Oceans  by M.L. Stedman

From Wikipedia:

A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways.

Lighthouses mark dangerous coastlines, hazardous shoals, reefs, safe entries to harbors, and can also assist in aerial navigation. Once widely used, the number of operational lighthouses has declined due to the expense of maintenance and replacement by modern electronic navigational systems.

Aiding Navigation:  Isabel gave Tom something solid to hold on to after his experience in the war.  She helped him navigate the world as it was after the horrors he lived through.  Tom gave Isabel a future to get away from a town without young men to court her.  

Dangerous Coastlines:  As in every relationship there are dangers, hills and valleys, Isabel and Tom certainly had obstacles to overcome just living in solitary.  Many times I think that living a hermit life would be wonderful and then I know I would greatly miss the companionship of others.  Can you relate to the desperation of wanting a child so much that in the same situation you would 'adopt' Lucy-Grace?  

Ending Quotes:

'He's lived the life he's lived.  He's loved the woman he's loved.  No one ever has or ever will travel quite the same path on this earth and that's all right by him'

'He knows that the man who makes the journey has been shaped by every day and every person along the way.  Scars are just another kind of memory.' 

Happy Reading,

Barbara

Hello Readers,

Before I go on to discuss The Light Between the Oceans I just have a few more comments about Gone Girl.  

I loved the book!  It had me on the edge the entire time I was reading it and I immediately felt compassion for the characters who I grew to hate.  Funny thing about  good character development - I fall  in love or hate very quickly with characters in books.  For example years ago I read House of Sea and Fog and immediately hated every character in that book but still couldn't abandon it,  I still remember the characters even though I hated the book - but much of it was about understanding the culture of a Iranian living in America.  The Reliable Wife was also one of those book where the characters were so strong and unforgettable but not lovable. It was so difficult to relate to the desperation of the characters living in that time in American history and culture.

Gillian Flynn has an incredibly complex writing style that intrigues me and I look forward to reading other of her books, Sharp Objects    and    Dark Places.

FYI:  When preparing to write on this blog I have a tendency to remember more about the books than I usually do.  Here is the question of the day:  Do you think the old boyfriend had it planned all along that he would capture Amy and keep her prisoner?  I do!  Here is a news article about a killer from Alaska who came to Vermont just to kill.           http://www.wcax.com/story/20314819/alaska-serial-killer-researched-mass-murderers
Psychopathology is just that - uncontrollable anti social behaviors that make the rest of society cringe.  It is interesting to read books like that occasionally but I can't make a steady diet of it.

My friend Debbie thought the book ended too quickly.  I don't know how much longer I could have held my breath to see what was going to happen.  It would be a great movie but then again, Hollywood would probably butcher my visions of the scenes.  

Back to the FYI for a second - why don't you try and write a few sentences about each BOM and then post it on the blog.  I promise, you will remember more about the books we read and you will be able to recommend them to other readers.

Happy Reading!
Barbara

Hello Dear Readers,
Bastard out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison is the Book of the Month for March 2013

I hope we all enjoy it and have some interesting things to say about this book around April 1.

Happy Reading!

Barbara