Good news for John Irving fans.  He is coming out with a new book on May 8 called In One Person.  His novels: The Cider House Rules and A Prayer for Owen Meany have been adapted into award winning movies.  The movie adaptation for A Prayer for Owen Meany is called Simon Birch, and it is one of my favorite movies.  In One Person is currently available for pre order on the Kindle.  The only other Irving novel available for download on the Kindle is Last Night in Twisted River.  More to come soon.

Irving touches on major issues like abortion, love, AIDS, death, gender, sexuality, and disability with a great deal of candor.  In One Person is no exception.  It is set in the 80′s when AIDS was rampant.  So, it is sure to deal with the emotions and heartbreak that came along with dealing with that disease  during that era.

I have read three of Irving’s novels.  A Prayer for Owen Meany has stuck with me the longest.  It is about a dwarf named Owen, but the story is told from the point of view of his best friend.  Owen Meany has a lot to show the world, and has some psychic powers that shape the way he lives his life.

The World According to Garp is a very gender and sexuality focused book.  This book is best for the mature audience.  All of Irving’s books include issues that only adults can fully grasp, but I stress that fact for this one in particular.

The Last Night in Twisted River is Irving’s latest book currently available.  It features father-son protagonists who start off as cooks in a logging town.  An unexpected turn of events forces them to skip town.  The son later becomes a novelist, but fate catches up to both of them in the long run.  It took me a really long time to get through this book.  It moved too slowly for me.  Out of the three books I’ve read by Irving, this one is my least favorite.  It does have good reviews though, and others give high marks, so it is just a matter of preference.

Irving’s novels work your brain.  If you want a book that has depth, includes a well defined and complex plot, and steamrolls through controversial issues, this if your type of book.  On top of that, Irving has been a highly successful author for many, many years.  So, I am eager to read what he has to say in his newest novel when it comes out in May.

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese is a must read.  It has depth that only a select set of authors can truly capture.  The novel has been translated in multiple languages and is an international bestseller.

The paperback version is kind of heavy and has really small print.  So for a more comfortable reading experience, I recommend getting the Kindle edition.  The prices for each are about the same.

Abraham Verghese is a doctor and professor of medicine at Stanford School of Medicine.  He also has a degree in creative writing and has written two other nonfiction books.  You can see his expertise reflected in the medical descriptions in Cutting for Stone.

Cutting for Stone follows twins Marion and Shiva, born to a nun and skilled surgeon in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  The delivery is a difficult one to say the least, and changes the lives of Missing Hospital’s staff forever.  The story is told in the past and a much older, present day Marion is the narrator.  Throughout the book, the reader will find various themes such as love, family, medicine and politics all woven together to form an intricate storyline.  Despite the rifts and hardships that each character faces, it all works out in the end.

I have to warn you.  Cutting for Stone is very detailed.  It can really suck you in, but it can also wear you out keeping up with the story’s progression.  So, take breaks!  I love the writing style and the characters’ personalities.  Even though the majority of the book was set in another country 50 years ago, I could still relate to the characters as if they lived in America today.

Kris

“Cutting for Stone is a coming of age novel which emphasizes the way in which we are shaped by the forces and intricacies of our past. Verghese pays particular attention to themes around loss. He writes about the desperation to fill voids and the struggle of letting go. Verghese also writes about freedom, both psychological and physical. He writes about love as a terror and as a savior. He writes about sacrifice and passion. He writes of the importance of perspective in order to foster empathy. The themes are plentiful, profound, and woven together throughout each of the characters’ stories.”

If you have hiked, or considered hiking the Appalachian Trail, or just want to know more about the experience, then I highly recommend reading David Miller’s AWOL on the Appalachian Trail.  It is free from Amazon Prime members via the Kindle Owner’s Lending Library.

Technology is so ingrained in our daily lives, that we have to physically escape from it.  Hiking the Appalachian Trail provides a chance to get away, face an unknown adventure, and to get to know other hikers and their experiences.

The AT can be hiked by section, or it can be hiked all the way through.  Hikers who make it all the way from Georgia to Maine are called “thru hikers.”  Some thru hikers go the purist route and hike the trail all the way through, and others skip sections and come back later.  To me, I’d just barrel through it and get it over with.  The sense of accomplishment at the end is much sweeter when you don’t have to worry about going back to other parts.

I love Miller’s easy, familiar writing style.  All of the hikers have trail names.  Miller encounters the same ones throughout his journey, and mentions their names like they’re old friends.  I chuckled a time or two at the more colorful characters.

Miller also gives advice on what to bring and things not to do.  Carry the lightest load possible.  there are stops along the way.  I was surprised to read that that there were so many shelters along the trail.

In short, AWOL on the Appalachian Trail isn’t the greatest book ever written, but I think it is worth a read.  There are some good books in the Kindle Owner’s Lending Library collection.

Robert Merivel

“Strong writing and accounting from all of the parts of the trail make it a great book for those armchair AT Hikers like myself. It is a nice mix of everyday life and what it takes on the trail, trail relationships (some good, some bad), and various observations on life and the trail. What makes it all that more surprising is it is a Self-Published book. It is definitely worthy of a more tangible publishing house.”

Wayne A. Robinson

“Just happened upon this book in the Kindle store on my new Kindle Fire and decided to give it a try. Really glad I did. I’m not particularly interested in hiking, but the author is a fine writer and the level of detail about his day-to-day journey made it feel more like a diary rather than a retrospective on his experience. Most adults with a family and a desk job can also identify with his motivation for doing the hike. I finished this quickly. Really liked Miller’s honesty and self-deprecating style too. I recommend! “

Two of the bestselling Kindle Books of 2011 were independent authors who used Amazon’s popular Kindle Direct Publishing service.  Publishing an e-book has never been easier.  This opportunity gives everyone a chance to express their voice and unique writing style.  The money isn’t too shabby either.

Darcie Chan, an attorney who lives with her husband and son in New York, released her first novel, The Mill River Recluse last year.  It is a huge hit among its readers, and definitely worth adding to your list of Kindle books to read.

Mary McAllister, the victim of an abusive late husband, spends sixty years of her life in a marble mansion overlooking the tiny Vermont town of Mill River.  This is one of those feel good books that provide a good story, but it doesn’t work the brain too hard.  It has great reviews, and Chan achieves what most authors strive to do: draw the reader into the story and make them forget that the characters are fictional.

Chris Culver was another extremely successful independent author that hit the bestseller list with his book, The Abbey.  The Abbey is a fast paced murder mystery that features a Muslim detective.  The fact that Ash is Muslim is an added twist, but it isn’t his religion isn’t the focus of the book.  He gets wrapped up in a case involving the possible murder of his niece, and well, see how the story unfolds from there.

There are many other independent authors who have hit bestseller lists, and have enjoyed great successes through KDP.  It is still important to carefully edit the book and format it so that it can be published to the Kindle.

Since I got my first Kindle two years ago, I have read a number of books by independent and lesser known authors.  It has given me the opportunity to explore new genres and writing styles.  Publishing a book is no longer this tangible thing restricted to an exclusive group of top notch writers.  Not to mention, many of these books are either free or very cheap.

The downsides to allowing such free reign on publishing e-books are the quality of books and spam.  Amazon has had to deal with some major issues with spammers flooding the market with fake e-books.

So, it will be interesting to see how the publishing industry evolves as e-books and e-readers become increasingly popular.  There has to be a balance that retains the quality of books written by established authors, and a way to give new authors the chance to shine.

Yale law professor Amy Chua’s memoir, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother has stirred up a lot of controversy to put it mildly.  It has been all over the media, particularly in a recent Wall Street Journal article that included an excerpt from the book.  I downloaded it from my library’s Kindle e-book selection because I was curious about the book itself. Despite disagreeing with the way Chua raised her girls on a personal level, I really enjoyed reading it.

In the Afterward section of the book, Chua wrote that Battle Hymn was meant to be a parody of herself.  Her writing style and humorous take on the way she interacted with her daughters was what really sucked me in.

The term “tiger mother” refers to the extremely strict way of raising kids.  In general children of tiger mothers, or tiger dads for that matter, are not allowed to do anything social that would interfere with their educational pursuits.

Anything below an “A” or anything less than first place in a competition is not tolerated.  Chua’s daughters bore the brunt of her extreme parenting through their music.  Her oldest plays the piano, and her youngest played the violin.  Each daughter reacts in completely different ways.  In fact, Chua’s youngest daughter was very instrumental in getting Chua to take a fresh look at the way she handled things.  She may be stubborn, but her daughter is very much her equal.

The only major aspect of the book that I didn’t like was the constant black and white comparisons between Chinese and Western styles of parenting.  However, Chua did mention that her references to these were meant to be “loose” ones.  They were a bit one sided, and every parenting style is unique.  Both strict and lenient styles have their own pluses and minuses.

As expected the reviews are all across the board.  Whether you love it or hate it, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother is great for a debate or discussion.

Homer Merino

“Much criticism is out in the media about how this book focuses on a type of parenting that should definitely not be used for today’s children, and that is exactly not what the book is trying to convey. The book is about a mother understanding her own demanding values for her daughters and of them trying to find themselves throughout to where it works out in the end. I do believe that for those that criticize the book are the ones that have not read it entirely or seem to read incomplete excerpts. ”

France was a member of the Allied troops during World War II, but they were under heavy influence from Germany.  Sarah’s Key  sheds some light on little known hostility that the country showed towards Jews in 1942.

Sarah’s Key has been on top of the Kindle bestseller list over the past year or so, and has been a fixture in many book clubs across the country.  It is a poignant and emotional book that provides a unique perspective of the Holocaust and the horrors that Jews faced during the war.

The novel is set in 1942, and in 2002 during the 60 year anniversary of the deportation to the Velodrome d’Hiver.  Ordered by German authorities to round up Jews, French policemen captured them and sent them to the former winter sports area.  It is very fitting that winter is part of the name of this place considering that it was used for such a bleak act.  From there, Jews were shipped to other concentration camps including Auschwitz.  The narrator for the 1942 portion is 10 year old Sarah, born to Jewish parents and ordered to deport.

Believing that this whole ordeal would pass, Sarah locks her brother into a secret cabinet and promises to return, giving the book its title, Sarah’s Key.

Julia is an American born journalist who is married to a Frenchman.  She discovers shocking information that connects her husband’s family to the deportations in 1942.  So, you will see how the young girl of the past, and the other woman of the present are deeply connected.

I love books with plots that switch time periods because they keep me engaged in the story.  It takes a talented author to weave the two storylines together.  In general de Rosnay does a good job in Sarah’s Key with the exception of a few parts.

Sarah’s Key gets high marks among reviewers overall.

High Spirits USA

“This story touches the heart with its characters. If you like seeking truths and puzzles this story brings time and place together with the significance of family ties and value in new found relationships, trust and intuition. “

Wife by Wednesday is not your average romance novel.  The added twist is that it put a contemporary spin on what is usually a historical idea.  It is currently in the top 10 books on the Kindle Bestseller List, and is pretty cheap at $.99.

The general plot stars Blake, a member of the royal family who must have a wife by Wednesday, or he loses his inheritance.  Blake seeks out Sam Elliot’s matchmaking firm, Alliance, for help.  Surprised to find out that Sam Elliot is actually Samantha Elliot, he offers her a ton of money to marry her for a year.

As they say,  usually the best romances come along when you aren’t looking.  For Samantha, this is certainly true.  What starts out simply as a business contract, morphs into much much more.

Wife by Wednesday makes for an entertaining read, and keeps you interested with the biting dialogue.  It is short, and engaging without too much intensity.

There seems to be a trend going on with contemporary adaptations of historical novels like Pride and Prejudice and others. It would be interesting to hear what the well known historical authors would have to say about today’s society.

The timing of Wife by Wednesday is also fitting considering the excitement surrounding the recent royal wedding.

The reviews overall are excellent, with very few under 4 stars.  Catherine Bybee is the bestselling author of a number of romance novels that are worth checking out.

Amyrph

“While somewhat predictable, the story was entirely focused on its main characters and there really weren’t any extra (read: unnecessary) storylines. It was a fun, fast read with plenty of “love” scenes. I will definitely be seeing what else Catherine Bybee has to offer! Her style was detailed, not rushed, and I particularly liked that I didn’t have to waste chapters to find out what each character was doing.”

John Grisham’s books usually start out pretty boring, but as you keep reading, the plot picks up speed, and has you holding your breath until the last page.  He is well known for courtroom thrillers, but has also deviated from that genre with A Painted House,  Skipping Christmas, and a few others.

Many people say that his first novel, A Time to Kill was his best, and I agree that his earlier ones were the ones to beat.  He kind of lost his edge in the past few years, but regained his momentum with The Associate, and most recently, The Litigators.

The Litigators has been on top of the Kindle Bestseller list for months.  It is your typical Grisham courtroom thriller.  Finley & Figg is a seedy, run of the mill law firm in Chicago that handles small cases.  The firm is constantly searching for the fastest ways to make money without actually doing much work.  Finley & Figg hits jackpot, or at least they think they do, with a case involving a company under fire for its weight loss drug.

What seems too good to be true usually is, and the “easy money” often has big strings attached.

Here’s what the reviewers are saying:

Jim

“Spot on with caricatures of mas s tort bar and big firm defense. Nice pace and crescendo of anticipation. Fantastic intro to trial procedure and strategy for non-lawyers with plenty of substance to keep lawyers interested. ”

This is what I’m always thinking when I read a Grisham book…

Talutsa

“A usual John Grisham book. It is always interesting to find out how his characters get out of the predicaments in which they find themselves. There is a side story to this that turns out to be more important to the lead character than the one that starts the book. “

I am currently reading Steve Jobs, a biography of the late CEO of Apple by Walter Isaacson.  It hit the bestseller’s list pretty quickly after Jobs’ death earlier this fall.  The hardcover edition is really heavy, so if you can get the Kindle edition, your arms will probably thank you.  On another note, you also wouldn’t have to worry about being startled by the creepy book cover on the Kindle version either.

This book really gets into the nitty gritty of daily life with Jobs, his life, and Apple.  Jobs started Apple with his engineer friend Steve Wozniak.  Wozniak was the one that put the products together, while Jobs was the one who handled the marketing and sales aspect.

Jobs’ most talked about quality in this book was how focused and driven he was.  He did not stop anywhere short of perfection, and that is putting it mildly.  That is certainly reflected in the quality of Apple’s products like the Mac, iPad, iPhone, etc.

The biography definitely points out the quirky aspects of Jobs’ personality, like his obsession with dieting and other extremes.  He practiced Zen, and was interested in the Buddhist philosophy.  It all goes back to how driven he was about things he wanted.  If you’re familiar with Apple at all, you’ll know that as a culture, it is very private, and Jobs himself is a very private man. This biography is the chance to get a glimpse into what really went on behind that mask of privacy.

Isaacson did over 40 interviews with Jobs over a course of two years, and also interviewed over 100 of his family, friends and peers.  So, that demonstrates how much thought and detail went into writing this biography.

At a time when America is seeking ways to sustain its innovative edge, and when societies around the world are trying to build digital-age economies, Jobs stands as the ultimate icon of inventiveness and applied imagination. He knew that the best way to create value in the twenty-first century was to connect creativity with technology. He built a company where leaps of the imagination were combined with remarkable feats of engineering.   – Amazon

I am in awe at how much has changed as far as technology goes.  But, if you look at the Apple II versus all Apple products now, they still remain products of Jobs’ vision of perfection.  They also are very user focused.  Apple has opened up technology to so many people who otherwise would not be able to use it.

Steve Jobs will keep me occupied for awhile, but so far I’ve really enjoyed it.  I think it also helps having some technical knowledge. But even for those who aren’t technical, they can still appreciate reading about one of the most influential men in the technology world.

During the week after Thanksgiving, Cyber Monday kicks off an online only sale on a variety of items including electronics, books, and more.

There is a huge sale going on this week on Kindle books in all genres.  First, there are the editor’s picks.  The one Kindle book that stood out to me in that list is The Art of Racing in the Rain.  Garth Stein writes this compelling novel from the point of view of a dog named Enzo.  Enzo sticks by his human companion, Denny, as he faces trials and triumphs in his racing career, marriage, and in other aspects of his life.

I’ve heard good things about this book, and have it downloaded and ready to read on my Kindle.  I was excited to see it as part of the sale this week.

In addition to The Art of Racing in the Rain, there is another book in the Editor’s picks called Undrunk.  It is a first hand account of what goes on behind the closed doors of an AA meeting, and the steps alcoholics have to take to remain sober.  A.J. Adams gives an honest take on his experiences and uses this book as an opportunity to explain the process to readers who have not attended AA meetings, and to dispel ugly stereotypes of Alcoholics Anonymous.  There’s also a bit of humor mixed in.  Humor is always a good thing.

Other genres include Fiction, Romance, Biography, Mystery and Thrillers, Young Adult, Health and Wellness, and Children’s books.  So, there is something for everyone.  I noticed a lot of books that put a unique spin on classics like Pride and Prejudice and Sherlock Holmes.  There are also some good cookbooks and self help books that are worth checking out.

In the Young Adult books sections there is a book called Julie of the Wolves that I remember reading back in elementary school.  It was a good book, and includes some good wolf lore.  It also deals with issues that all kids face at the adolescent stage.

In time for the holiday season, The Legend of the Candy Cane is a fun book for little kids to enjoy. It makes a great bedtime story for parents and their children.

The books I mentioned are just a small sample of the vast collection of Kindle books available. With the holidays coming up and time off from work and school, this is a great time to load up on some reading material.  All books are $3.99 or less.  The deals run until December 3rd.

When I took a young adult literature class during library school, I remember thinking how young adult literature is full of vampires, awkward moments, and other outlandish fantasy type books.  That isn’t a bad thing.

However, it was a relief to read a young adult book that seemed more real, and included characters I could relate to.  That book is The Rites an Wrongs of Janice Wills, by Joanna Pearson.  It was just released on the Kindle at the beginning of October.  This is Pearson’s first book, but she has written a number of essays and articles that are definitely worth checking out.

Despite the fact that The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills is a young adult book, I could still relate to it for two reasons.  The first is that the author is from my hometown, and this book was loosely modeled on this town.  In the book it goes by Melva, North Carolina, also known as the Livermush Capital of the World.

The second reason is that it took me back to my high school days.  Like Janice, I was also on the outskirts of things.  Unlike Janice, I wasn’t that great of an observer.  I just had my nose buried in a book.

Janice Wills is a budding anthropologist, who aspires to get her anthropology notes published in Current Anthropology.  She makes detailed notes about the various social crowds at Melva High School: popular, theatre, jock, etc.  You have your usual high school cafeteria set up with each group at separate tables.

The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills is hilarious and has a biting sense of humor.  Janice gets a lot of joy out of making fun of the popular crowd.  It makes me wonder where she comes up with stuff she says about them.  But, in the end, there are lessons to be learned and the journey towards discovering who your real friends are.

Mela K

“It seems that most young adult fiction nowadays is full of the dark, the macabre, and the fantastic. While much of it does have merit, I’ve been feeling a certain nostalgia for stories about the joys and pains of growing up… without werewolves and/or abusive relationships. ”

Brooke B.

“I wasn’t sure if this would be that book about the nerdy, ugly girl who somehow got the hottest guy in school. It kind of was that book, but it was a lot more than that. I literally LOLed during the whole time. The way Pearson ties together teen angst, awkwardness, and humor is unlike any other.”

I read a lot so books usually blur together in my memory.  However, there are certain Kindle books that I will remember for a long time.  Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford is definitely one of those.

The book opens in 1986 Seattle in front of the old Panama Hotel.  This hotel was used to store a lot of the belongings of Japanese American families while they were sent to work camps during World War II.

The main character is Henry Lee.  He is grieving the recent loss of his wife, Ethel, who died of cancer.  Henry was her primary caretaker.  You will see how his relationship with Ethel and his old friend Keiko are intertwined.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet flips between 1986 and 1942. Henry meets a Japanese American girl named Keiko when she joins him as a worker in the school cafeteria.  Both are a minority in a school where white students are the vast majority.

The story shows the various ethnic sections in Seattle including Chinatown and Japantown.  It also shows the hostile environment that Asians live in during the war years.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is also about relationships.  It explores the depths of Henry’s relationship with Keiko, his father, and his son.  I was in awe that even though the Japanese and Chinese Americans were treated so badly by America and ridiculed by their peers, they still were proud to be American.

I highly recommend reading Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.  It really is a gem.

Pippa Lee

“I highly recommend this novel to those who remember their first love, have heard about the Japanese American internment camps, or strive to bridge two cultural worlds and to those who just love a good story. To all of you, there is a room waiting at the “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.” ”

L.K. Messner

“This book does a phenomenal job exploring the history and attitudes of this time period, and Ford’s portrayal of Seattle’s ethnic neighborhoods is amazing. But really, the thing that pulled me into this novel the most was the richness of the relationships — Henry and Keiko, Henry and his father, Henry’s mother and his father, and Henry and his own son. HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET looks at the best and worst of human relationships, the way we regard others, the way we find ourselves reenacting our relationships with our parents with our own children, the choices we make along the way. Mostly, though, this book reminds us that there is always room — and time — for forgiveness and redemption.”

I have read several good Kindle books lately that I thought I’d share.  One of the best ones is Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin.  This is Parkin’s debut novel, and is set in modern day Rwanda.

Here’s a basic plot set up.  The main character is Angel Tungararza, and she is known for her delicious cakes.  She and her husband Pius, as well as their five grandchildren move to Rwanda after Pius takes a job at the local university.

A majority of Baking Cakes in Kigali centers on Angel’s conversations with the residents of Kigali who come to purchase her cakes.  Angel and her customer sit down for a cup of tea and a slice of cake.  These conversations center around various social issues such as the shortage of men in Rwanda, genocide, homosexuality, prostitution, AIDS, and more.

Parkin eases the blow of learning about the tragic events in Rwanda by writing in a easy, conversational tone.  It is amazing how a cup of tea and a slice of cake can encourage people to reveal their deepest troubles and darkest secrets.

It was really neat to read from an African perspective, and even more unique to have it set in modern day Africa.  Cell phones and computers are still not common place.  Can you imagine life without a computer?

I do admit that this book can be a slow read.  Sometimes I felt like it should have picked up speed, but overall, it was an enjoyable book.

OldEnglish

“Parkin touches tellingly on a large number and wide range of troubling and contentious social issues that exist just as much in Western industrialized countries as they do in the Kigali environment that forms the locus of her novel, such as the introduction of Muslim religious views and cultural practices, homosexuality, prostitution, infidelity, female circumcision, AIDS, and much more as just what being part of the human variety entails among her wide circle of friends and acquaintances in a newly formed multi-cultural, urban environment. Beyond that, Parkin invokes an African perspective on historical events that underlie what probably endures as at least antipathy toward the foreigners (“Wazunga”), who overran and broke up the African continent with no consideration for the inhabitants, as well as nationalistic and feminist sensibilities.”

Lindsay Johnson

“Part of what I enjoyed so much about this book, apart from the wonderful characters that populate its pages, was that Parkin manages to address these potentially depressing, horrifying subjects while maintaining a tone of hope and renewal.”

I’ve read a few of Barbara Freethy’s romance novels, and have really enjoyed them because they have storylines that tend to have more depth than your basic, trashy romance novel.

Just the Way You Are is about two sisters: Tessa and Alli.  Alli seduces Tessa’s boyfriend, Sam Tucker and that leads to a surprise pregnancy and a troubled marriage.

In sibling relationships, there is often one sibling that is super successful.  That sibling may have the good looks, an amazing job, and the husband or significant other that everyone else would die to have.  Alli lives in the shadow of Tessa, who is a supermodel.  So, this book examines the dynamic of sibling relationships.

The unifying symbol in Just the Way You Are is a pearl necklace that Alli and Tessa’s grandmother, Phoebe started with her husband.  After Phoebe has a stroke, Alli and Tessa come together to find the last pearl in the necklace.  The pearl necklace represents the love their grandparents have, and it helps heal the wounds from the past.

Just the Way You Are will probably not be on the list of free Kindle books very long.  Right now it is #1 on the Top 100 list.  So, if I were you, I’d grab it soon before it goes off the free list.

If you’re into sweet romance novels and beach reads, other authors similar to Freethy are Debbie Macomber, Susan Wiggs, and Barbara Delinsky.  There are more that you’ll find listed as suggestions when you look up these authors.  Most of their Kindle books are pretty cheap.  They’re not always just about romance.  They explore other types of relationships as well.

After going over the reviews, I saw that several reviewers mentioned how real the characters seemed.  I love it when authors create stories that let you escape into the characters’ lives and forget that they aren’t real people.

Viaggiatrice

“The best romance novels are the ones that do not follow formula (at least in every aspect). Barbara Freethy has always been good at making her characters a little more realistic and a little less cookie-cutter. It is a great relief to find someone who does. This story is very well done. None of the characters is a saint, all have insecurities and doubts, and each is very flawed.”

amie

“I always enjoy Barbara Freethy’s style of writing before. She always manages to create characters that real, who are not flawless, and fill with insecurities — which make them real human. And the new novel “Just The Way You Are” impresses me just like others.”

If you’re vigilant about tracking the daily Kindle news, you will find a bunch of good books for free or discounted prices.  They don’t stay discounted for very long, so you have to act fast.

Bookmark Amazon.com’s reader forums.  Overall, these are good resources for anything Kindle related.  Kindle users are the best judges of what works best and what doesn’t.  But, for discounted and free books, check out the forum titled: Discounted / Price Dropped Kindle eBooks.  Put that title in the search box since there’s no way to directly link to the forum itself.  There’s also a Free Kindle book forum that is worth checking as well.  Even if you don’t find a book you like, keep checking.  This forum is updated often.

Don’t forget to check the Top 100 Free Kindle bestsellers list.  A lot of these books are cheesy romance novels or self help books.  Occasionally though, you’ll find a bestseller, or other good book to try out.  About half of the books on my Kindle came from this list.  I was able to discover new favorite authors by finding their books here.  The list also includes Kindle games and active content.

Don’t forget the new Kindle Daily Deals going on.  They include major discounts on bestselling books.  There are some bestsellers that I can’t afford the full price for.  Some are as much as $15!  So, I’ve been keeping track of the Daily Deals to see if they show up there.  One of the most notable ones to show up on the Daily Deals was The Lincoln Lawyer, by Michael Connelly.

Through the forums, I found a great website that provides alerts when prices are dropped on a book.  It is called eReaderIQ.com.   The website lets you track Kindle price drops, search for your favorite books, view the free Kindle book list, and see what books have been recently converted to Kindle.  The recently converted book option is quite handy.  There are a bunch of other discounted Kindle book websites.  You’ll find them recommended by readers on the forums, and pretty much anywhere there are discussions regarding the e-reader and e-books.

Aside from all of the resources here, you can check out the Amazon Kindle Twitter and Facebook page for more news and discount sale information.  The Facebook page has been an excellent resource for both authors and readers alike.

There is a fun, interactive Kindle book you should definitely try. Grandpa Thrifty’s Treasure Hunt is great for all ages.  Great especially for those who love adventure, word games and geocaching.

Basically, you download the Kindle book written by Stanford Squirrel and his Grandpa Thrifty.  I love the nicknames. It is pretty inexpensive at $2.99. This book gives you clues to finding Grandpa Thrifty’s real coin collection via this story and illustrations. According to the website and the Amazon product page, there is a medallion hidden in a tree on public property somewhere in the US.  Once you find the right tree, the medallion won’t be hard to find.

If you uncover this medallion, you win Grandpa Thrifty’s coin collection, worth $10,269.01.

I was skeptical at first, but the reviews are nothing less than 5 stars.

timoshesan

“I think it’s really great to engage kids (and adults) in reading, problem-solving, and combining that with an adventure in real life is very cool! This book is something everyone can enjoy, and should inspire good times all the way around. I admit, I’ll be out there looking with Grandpa Thrifty’s treasure map in hand…”

WorldsBestDad

“Nothing fires up a kid’s imagination like a real treasure hunt. This one seems a little homemade, but it’s funny and charming and the price is right. We’re in. My kids can’t wait! ”

You can check out the Grandpa Thrifty’s Treasure Hunt  website that provides more information about the book, and the rules to the game.  You’ll also find some helpful hints that can aid your progress along the way.

Technology has made us so sedentary because of all of the sitting at the computer or playing video games. Creative stories like Grandpa Thrifty can get us moving again and fuel our imaginations.  It takes reading to a whole new level.

I am eager to see how hard it will be to uncover the clues that reach the treasure.  Until then, happy hunting!

Check out the Amazon Big Deal sale going on until July 27.  There are over 900 Kindle books available for .99-3.99.  Big name publishers including HarperCollins and Random House are in on the sale.

The Big Deal Bestseller list includes a mix of classics, childhood favorites, mystery, religion, and romance.

One book in particular that I was excited to see on the list is Jim Stovall’s The Ultimate Gift and its sequel, The Ultimate Life.  They are quick, yet profound reads.  A wealthy tycoon leaves his grandson a series of tasks to perform that represent 12 gifts.  The gifts include important life’s treasures such as family, work, money, love, and more.  It is amazing to see the profound impact that each gift has on the grandson and his personality.  A heartwarming tale fit for all ages.  The Ultimate Gift was made into a movie starring well known actor James Garner.

Another is Katherine Paterson’s Bridge to Terabithia.  Jess and Leslie escape to the fairy tale land of Terabithia where they reign as king and queen.  The only way to Terabithia is by swinging across the river.  It provides solace from bullying and ridicule at school.  Then tragedy strikes, and the two dear friends are torn apart forever.  This was one of my favorite books from middle school.

Then you’ll find some old familiar classics Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, and William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying.  You either love or hate Faulkner.  In addition to the classics, there are some interesting modern counterparts: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Wuthering Heights, the Wild and Wanton Edition.  Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is on top of the bestseller list, but that is fitting considering the popularity of vampires and zombies lately.

Bestselling author Karen Kingsbury has several books on the list.  Her book, Unlocked, is about a boy with autism and his reconnection with his long lost special childhood friend.  My favorite aspect of this book is that it provides some of the dialogue from the autistic boy’s point of view.  A diverse perspective.

Take this opportunity to get to know lesser known authors.  I’ve found a lot of good Kindle books through the free and reduced price collections.  And, of course, great beach and poolside reading!

Many of you are probably familiar with Jaycee Dugard’s heart wrenching memoir about her 18 years of captivity. Dugard was abducted at a school bus stop in 1991, and she and her daughters were released in 2009. A Stolen Life is available in both print and Kindle editions.  In fact, it is at the top of the bestseller list in the Kindle Store.

Throughout her memoir, Jaycee recounts the emotional effect that her kidnapper, Phillip Garrido, had on her. Often, he was her only human contact. She wasn’t even allowed to use her own name, and was forced into motherhood at an extremely young age.

“A Stolen Life is my story—in my own words, in my own way, exactly as I remember it.” – Jaycee Dugard

Personally, I really want to read the story, but it takes a lot of strength to read the sickening events that occurred in her captivity. However, it is a good wake up call on what kidnappers are capable of.

This story is proof that despite horrible tragedies like this one, human beings are incredibly resilient. I truly admire her for her strength and ability to write A Stolen Life. It is possible to survive if you put your mind to it.  Jaycee used the love for her mother and later her children to guide her through the dark years.

Amelia Williams

“She chronicles her experience with brutal honesty. She writes about missing her mother and worrying that she will never see her again. Her dependence upon her kidnapper grows the more he isolates her from the world. For long periods of time he was the only other human being that she saw.”

K. Parsley

“How one very strong little girl coped with immensely abusive circumstances and became a survivor. This book is a brutally graphic, and straitforward retelling of Jaycee Dugard’s 18 years in captivity. I could not put this book down. When I was not reading it, I was thinking about it. A haunting story that will stay with you for quite some time. (Thanks for telling us your story Jaycee.) ”

Part of the proceeds from A Stolen Life will go to the JAYC Foundation at www.jaycfoundation.org.  This foundation supports families who have been through abductions and other traumatic experiences, and helps them to heal.

There are a number of particularly poignant books on the Top 10 Editor’s Picks of 2011 so far.  I thought I’d provide a quick synopsis of them.  They are all available for the Kindle.

Lost in Shangri-La: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II

Just reading the story description and reviews of this book gives me the shivers.  Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff is the story of the three remaining survivors of a plane crash that killed 21 members of the United States military.  The trio land in the jungles of New Guinea towards the end of World War II and believe it or not, this is a true story.  The survivors include a member of the Woman’s Army Corps, a lieutenant, and sergeant. In addition to facing serious injuries and threats from the jungle, they have to constantly be on the alert for cannibalism.  It is quite a powerful story of survival and heroism.

The Tiger’s Wife: A Novel

Obreht weaves three stories in one in her debut novel.  The novel is set in an unidentified country, but is rumored to be somewhere around her native Croatia.  The Tiger’s Wife’s main character is Natalia, a doctor, who sets out to unveil secrets from the past.  In 1941 during the German bombardment, a tiger escaped from the zoo and befriended a deaf woman.  Hence, the title The Tiger’s Wife.  This story is intertwined with Natalia’s care for orphans and a family in search of bones from a long dead relative.  Then there’s the deathless man…

Quite an impressive novel for such a new and young author!

In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin

Continuing the World War II theme, the Garden of Beasts comes from the point of view of the first American ambassador to Berlin during Hitler’s regime. Ambassador Dodd recognizes the dangers that Hitler will bring in his quest for absolute power.  You’ll also read about Dodd’s daughter Martha, who seeks out the glamorous life with the elite in Berlin and ends up in close relations with the head of the Gestapo.  Quite fascinating and scary to hear such a close account of the rise of Hitler.

Blood, Bones, & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef

Gabrielle Hamilton, the chef-owner of the successful restaurant in New York City, Prune, writes a compelling memoir of her childhood and the twists and turns that finally led to her success.  In the beginning, she had a great childhood living on a farm.  That all fell apart when her parents divorced.  Hamilton lost any direction in life and education, traveled around Europe, worked menial jobs.  Through all of this, she gained an appreciation for food and the comfort of being fed.  Her experiences add quite a bit of depth to the memoir.

The Tragedy of Arthur: A Novel

Arthur Phillips wrote an interesting, yet questionable tale of living with a con artist father and twin sister who has a deep love for Shakespeare.  Part of the story is written like a memoir while the other part deals with the supposed unpublished play “The Tragedy of Arthur” that Arthur and his sister set out to get published and set on stage.  Personally, I’m not a big fan of Shakespeare, but this book is still a good read regardless, especially with the humor mixed in.

Bossypants

Gotta love Tina Fey.  Check out the post I wrote on her memoir, Bossypants.

22 Brittania Road: A Novel

Another compelling World War II novel.  A Polish family of three tries to reestablish themselves in England at the end of the war.  Silvana and her son Aurek spent years in the Polish woods.  Aurek does not know how to do basic tasks like sleep in a bed, at eight years old.  So, forgetting the past proves quite a challenge.  The reader finds out what measures this family has to take to become whole again.

Before I Go to Sleep: A Novel

This novel reminds me of the movie, 50 First Dates.  The main character, Christine, was in an accident that leaves her with strange memory loss.  Every day she wakes up and has to be reminded basic details of her life by her husband Ben.  After she reads her journal and sees that she wrote “don’t trust Ben”, the novel turns into a thrilling account of trust. Who can you trust, particularly when you don’t have the memory to recall what has happened in the past.  Scary thought.

Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything

Joshua Foer goes through a year of memory training and acquires amazing memory skills that enable him to enter the US Memory Championship.  The key is to find your brain’s niche and ability so that it can naturally remember more.  I find this fascinating because I have a really good long term memory, but my short term memory is horrible.  So, in order to retain anything, I have to commit it to my long term memory.

Please Look After Mom

Bestselling Korean author Kyung-sook Shin writes a memorable story of a missing mother and her family.  It is told from the point of view of two of the children, the husband, and finally the mother herself.  There is much regret over neglecting to take better care of the mother.  The reader also gets a good glimpse of Korea as well.  It is a tale of how one family overcomes great barriers to become unified again.

So, this is a great selection of memoirs and novels on World War Il, tragedy, humor and the importance of family.  Quite a diverse collection of books from a unique set of authors.  Enjoy!

Amazon Direct Publishing has enabled a lot of authors to get their writing voices out there.  One independent author who has published a number of thrillers over the past year, is John Locke.  Locke joins major authors such as Suzanne Collins and Stieg Larsson as the eighth member of the Kindle Million Club.

Locke describes how his successful marketing strategy in his book How I sold 1 Million eBooks in 5 Months! He does it in a clear and concise way.  One important thing that I took from his book is that if you want to sell books, magazines, or even blogs, you need to figure out your target audience.  If you can find a good niche, that’s a huge step.  Also, utilize social media tools such as Facebook or Twitter to actively reach out to fans.

With the exception of 1 Million Books, Locke’s books go for .99 each.  With a lot of bestselling ebooks going for $9,.99 or up, this is an amazing deal.

Saving Rachel is one of Locke’s top selling books and belongs to the Donovan Creed series.  This ebook sends the reader on quite the ride as killers give a man the choice between his wife and mistress.  Sam Case messes with the wrong people when he hides money from mobsters and terrorists like Donovan Creed.  The plot is pretty outrageous, but it is a matter of preference.

Speaking of outrageous, another one of Locke’s books, Wish List, certainly also falls into that category.  I cracked up at the main character’s name, Buddy Pancake.  Buddy and his friends start making crazy wishes from a Wish List website without really thinking about the consequences of those wishes.

On another note, Locke also wrote the Emmett Love Westerns.  These are set in mid nineteenth century Western United States.  Follow the Stone has met great success.  So, if you need a break from Locke’s thrillers or prefer westerns, these would be a good series.  You’ll find touching themes and great characters.

So, as you can see, it is very possible to have great success at publishing ebooks on Amazon.  This is great for those who would otherwise not get a shot with the major publishing houses, however, there needs to be more control over Kindle publishing so that all authors can get the merits they deserve and compete with the big names.

Michael Connelly, the author of the bestselling novels, The Lincoln Lawyer and The Fifth Witness, hit the Kindle Million club recently.  Connelly joins Suzanne Collins, Stieg Larsson, James Patterson, Nora Roberts, Charlaine Harris, and Lee Child.

Connelly is known for exciting legal thrillers, and two of his books have been made into movies.  The Lincoln Lawyer is out in theaters this summer.  Mickey Haller is a criminal defense attorney who takes all sorts of cases.  The term “Lincoln Lawyer” refers to the fact that Haller basically operates out of his Lincoln Town Car, traveling to clients all over.

Haller’s cases are not too high risk, until he takes the case of a playboy accused of attacking a woman in a bar.  On the outset, this case doesn’t sound too complicated, until someone close to Haller is murdered.  Connelly takes the reader on many twists and turns as Haller fights for his life while representing his client.

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“What I loved about The Lincoln Lawyer is Connelly’s ability to keep you guessing and leading into some nice cliffhangers at the end of chapters, where we learn something critical to the plot. This really makes his book a page turner. I admit that it was fairly easy reading, very simplistic prose that won’t wow you or give you literary goose bumps. Still, as a thriller and mystery The Lincoln Lawyer succeeds in keeping you on your seat wanting to see how events will be resolved, as Haller attempts to seek justice while not raising suspicion.”

Connelly’s latest book, The Fifth Witness, doesn’t seem to contain the usual edge that other Connelly books have, but it still has some great reviews.  This book is another Mickey Haller novel that focuses on a foreclosure case, and a client accused of murdering the banker who was responsible for taking away her house.  Haller has reasons to believe that his client was set up and that there is suspicious activity surrounding the dealing.

The interesting part about The Fifth Witness to me, is that foreclosures are a large part of our lives now with the flailing economy, so in a way, readers can relate.  Although, I would hope that people would not be taking such extreme measures and killing their bankers like in this book!

Stephen Peters, a longtime popular culture writer, has a book called Kindle Culture that I think is worth reading.  It is a quick read, and has a lighthearted, easygoing writing style.  It is interesting to read how the Kindle has changed lives.  I was particularly intrigued with the story about how one woman was able to read for the first time in 10 years.  The Kindle has done wonders for people with print disabilities, and is much more cost effective than standard assistive technology.  I can attest that as a visually impaired Kindle user, the font size adjustments have been a lifesaver.

The Kindle has impacted many aspects of peoples’ lives from increased portability to profitable business ventures.  Many individuals and companies have created covers, accessories, and now applications for the Kindle.  You will also find a number of forums and blogs that united Kindle lovers from various backgrounds around the world.

I like this reviewer’s point about how it is neat to see the concrete effects that the Kindle has had on people.

Michelle R

“Kindle Culture explores the boards, merch, and groups that have sprung up to worship and to profit from The Kindle. There’s a certain charm in reading about boards you frequent and people you “know.” It’s touching to read how the device has helped disabled people who’ve lost the ability to read traditional books. As a fan of the device, much of this is a vindication, because it’s hard not to be touched when you see concrete proof that your e-reader has the power to change lives.”

I admit that this book is kind of dated.  It was published in 2009, but I think it is still relevant because it shows the impact that the e-reader has made in just two short years since release.  One of the “questions” that the Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) description of Kindle Culture brings up is the effect that the “kindle killers” will have on the e-reading device.  Two years since this book’s release, the Kindle is still the best selling e-reader.  So it has definitely held its own among all of the Nooks, iPads, Kobo, Sony e-readers, and other e-readers that are out there.

In theory, Peters could rewrite Kindle Culture about every couple of years due to the rapid changing pace of e-reader technology and competition.  The “Kindle Culture” has grown exponentially since this book was written through the price drops, e-reader market competition, upcoming Library Lending program, Kindle applications and many more.

Do you like to travel?  I try to go somewhere new every year,  and I know that carrying around all of those thick travel books can be annoying at times.  There is a new set of travel guides available now for the Kindle called Destination.  Northstar Travel Media and RosettaBooks have joined forces to create Kindle only travel guides that are quite inexpensive…only $2.99.

The other cool part is that with the Kindle applications available on so many devices and smartphones, you might as well have a library of travel guides in your pocket.

All of the travel guides include a variety of things to do and places to eat that can fit anyone’s preference.

According to the Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) description, every guide includes these features:

“In every guide you’ll find:
• recommendations for a wide range of sightseeing options
• gems of restaurants, with a special focus on local cuisine
• specialty shops for local crafts, food and gifts
• 3, 4 and 5 star hotel reviews that tell you the whole story, as if you were speaking with a concierge
…and much, much more.”

I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland, so I’m really excited to see that Destination has an Ireland travel guide, specifically for Dublin.  You will also find one for Paris and Rome.  I hope that they will include one for Switzerland at some point.

Want to go to Russia or Turkey?  Check out Destination Moscow or Destination Istanbul.

Then, there are travel guides for many of the best tourist attractions and major cities in the US, such as Las Vegas, Washington DC and Boston.  Boston is one of my favorite places to go visit.

Writing this Kindle travel guide post has me itching to travel.  Where are some of your favorite places to go?

For all of you word nerds out there, you might be interested in Mardy Grothe’s latest quotation book, Neverisms.  I have a few of my own favorite quotes that I like to keep in the back of my mind for when the right circumstances come up for them.

I laughed out loud when I read some of the quotes from the book such as “never take a laxative and a sleeping pill at the same time” or “never ruin an apology with an excuse.”  I’ve found that whenever I say I’m “never” going to do something, I end up doing exactly what I said I’d never do.  Glad to know there are some things that you just really should never do.

Neverisms is a well researched collection that includes quotes spanning a variety of topics: sports, love and others.  The quotes come from a lot of different famous people, magazines and TV shows.  It isn’t really a book you would read straight through, but you can use the Kindle’s menus to navigate through different chapters.  So, you can enjoy small chunks of it over time.

As I read the reviews of Neverisms, I learned a lot about how much depth can be packed into just one little phrase.

ErikDahlMD

“Quotes help us give words to things we feel but we have never quite put together in thoughts that are succinct, clever and inspirational or just outright funny. These quotes often reveal layers of complexity in just a few words. They are little packets of wisdom and humor. The older I get, the more I love quotes, for they help put words to things I have learned. Never miss a chance to thank someone for changing our mundane life into something better. Thanks Dr. Grothe.”

The Culture Buzz

“As with previous marvels of Mardy, “Neverisms” lets us not only see the forest for the trees, but appreciate each tree within the forest. He captures the obvious foundation – many well-known quotes beginning with “never” – blends in additional quotes, then liberally seasons all with captivating back stories, history and relevance. The result is the aforementioned feast, presented with a very grand, 18-course (chapters) flair.”

Another great book of quotes that Grothe has written is called Ifferisms.  Both books are packed full of fun reading.  Great book for the Kindle because you can just whip it out wherever and find a quote that fits your fancy.

There is a new, really cool digital book set available solely for Kindle called Booksurfers.  The author is David Gatward and they were just released on June 14.  Booksurfers is about four children who are kidnapped and forced to find artifacts from different childhood classics.  Who knew that reading for school could be so exciting…and terrifying?

Right now, there are two classics available: Treasure Island and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.  The children: Jake, Ryan, Becca, and Harriet get tossed into the action of Treasure Island and the Land of Oz, and have to bring back items to Dr. Crookshanks.  Their parents’ lives are at stake if they don’t fulfill Crookshanks’ instructions.  This is a really cool way to get kids engaged in classics and provides a much more hands on, interactive experience.  It is also a good way to get them to try out the Kindle too.

In Treasure Island, the kids must bring back the actual treasure map.  They risk their lives  and experience the adventures the famous classic holds.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is structured the same way.  The kids become the characters in the book and have to find Dorothy’s ruby slippers, or lose their parents.

One aspects of both of these books that makes them so interactive, is that you can click into the part of the actual book that Jake, Ryan, Becca, and Harriet are experiencing.  So, this is the closest you get to being a character in the book yourself.  The writing style is very conversational and modern, so is should be easy reading for all ages.  Whether you are in school, or an adult who wants to revisit the famous books of your childhood.

More books and adventures to come.  I wish these were offered when I was in school.  What classics would you like to see made into an interactive adventure book?  I think Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn would be good candidates.