Robert Frost (1874-1963): Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

This is one of my favorite poems; I'm posting it in honor of our first real snow of the season, and I hope you'll enjoy reading it as much as I do.

Frost's grace of rhythm is sweet and smooth and cool. A jingle of sleigh bells, the soft glow of moonlight on snow, the steaming horse almost conversational, the absentee owner of the land missing out on the whole scene -- it speaks to me in a language dear. ~ R.

_________________________________________

Stopping by Woods
on a Snowy Evening

By Robert Frost (1874-1963)

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep
And miles to go before I sleep

GENETIC ROUNDS, by Dr. Robert Marion, MD

GENETIC ROUNDS

Nonfiction: memoir/medical
by Dr. Robert Marion, MD


Released: 2009

Published by:
Kaplan Publishing

Kaplan, Inc.
www.kaplan.com

ISBN: 978-1-60714-460-1

Price:

$24.95 U.S.
$30.95 Canada

As I (an "ordinary" reader, non-scientist) understand it, genetics is the study of a blueprint too immense and detailed for a single, however bright mind, to completely understand. Yet a single strand of DNA is too small to be seen with the naked eye. It carries in its double helix design complex secrets beyond the average person's wildest dreams. It is not, sadly, perfect. Errors in that tiny strand can cause horrible malformations of the body, as it holds all the keys of creation and therefore constant recreation of that body within itself. The human genome is being studied and mapped slowly; lives are being altered in the meantime, young, innocent lives.

Dr. Marion offers up considerable insight in this, his medical memoirs, a collection of essays dealing with his personal experiences caring for the victims of genetic error and their families. The experiences range from grim to glorious. From sorrow to transcendence, we go along with him. Seeing through his compassionate eyes as he makes his GENETIC ROUNDS, we're given a clear view of the children to often hidden beneath -- or because of -- the facade of the problems they bear. It seems the ultimate inheritance roulette.

It becomes clear that such a doctor must be more than a just a physician taking care of some mechanical, routine condition. Such a doctor must be a real, caring doctor with the soul of a philospher and the attention span of a legendary detective! Not only the patient, but also the family needs the kind of friend in the attending doctor who is capable, a confidant with solid, practical morals.

This and much more can be found in GENETIC ROUNDS. For the love of a child, for the lives of humanity, it's a round well worth taking. 


 

Reader's thanks to Dr. Robert Marion, and to Kaplan Publishing -- and also to Brett Sandusky, Marketing Manager at Kaplan Publishing -- for the opportunity to read, and review this book and pass it along to the world of readers. The Fireside Reader sincerely thanks you!


Share the link: This page is located at http://thefiresidereader.blogspot.com .

HOLLYWOOD MOON, by Joseph Wambaugh

HOLLYWOOD MOON

Fiction:Novel
by Joseph Wambaugh

ADVANCE COPY!



Releasing as:
First Edition Hardback
December, 3, 2009

Published by:
Little, Brown and Company

Hachette Book Group
www.hachettebookgroup.com

ISBN: 978-0-316-04518-6

Price:

$26.99 U.S.
$32.99 Canada

Mr. Wambaugh's last release, HOLLYWOOD CROWS, fell far short of this newest release! HOLLYWOOD MOON comes off as a smoother creation even in this uncorrected (advance copy) proof when taken in its entirety. This time we have a genuine story -- with anecdotes woven into it, as they should be, instead of being scattered around like chocolate chunks on a cardboard cookie.

In this newest novel, he's given us humor, no small amount of incredulity, pathos, love, grief. All of the necessary palette that makes the work plausable. The plot is complex but orderly, the characters his trademark mix of real and surreal, the whole tale a multifaceted reader's magnet.

I want to personally thank Mr. Wambaugh for going the extra way to bring his readers a genuinely good read that is anything but boring. He's done it up right, this time. (By the way, Mr. Wambaugh, I'd love to read your plain old memoirs!)


Reader's thanks to Hachette Publishing Group -- and Miriam Parker, Associate Director of Online Marketing -- for the opportunity to review this book and pass it along to the world of readers. The Fireside Reader sincerely thanks you!


Share the link: This page is located at http://thefiresidereader.blogspot.com .

TRUE BLUE, by David Baldacci

TRUE BLUE

Fiction:Novel
by
David Baldacci

www.davidbaldacci.com

Become a fan at FaceBook!

www.tinyurl.com/baldaccifb


First Edition Hardback
released October, 2009

Published by:
Grand Central Publishing

Hachette Book Group
www.hachettebookgroup.com

ISBN: 978-0-446-19551-5

Price:

$27.99 U.S.
$34.99 Canada

High profile crime -- MURDER! -- "in the nation's capital". National security. A true-blue cop wrongly accused and imprisoned. David Baldacci delivers on high-stakes thriller action. This book is no exception.

However ... (sorry) this one brings to mind another of his books, the only one among the many I've read that I couldn't finish: THE WINNER. Also highly pro-feminist in layout, THE WINNER is unfortunately unrealistic. Its protagonist is an unbelievably strong woman (hiding the fact), go figure, in a seemingly unsalvageable situation. Worse, this newest novel has not one, not two, but THREE wickedly-dangerous women in the cast, none of them hiding it (this time). Swinging delicately on the arms of one of the women and leaning firmly on her sister at times, is an athletic but decidedly non-dangerous man.

This is as close as David Baldacci has yet come to writing humor, as far as I can see. He's a terrific writer, and I love his work in general. Therefore I will say only that TRUE BLUE is not my favorite among Mr. Baldacci's works, or at least the ones I've read (most of them, I think) so far. That doesn't mean I won't be waiting eagerly for his next release; it means only that he's set himself a high standard, and this book doesn't come close to his best work. I suspect he knows that by now.


Reader's thanks to Hachette Publishing Group -- and Miriam Parker, Associate Director of Online Marketing -- for the opportunity to review this book and pass it along to the world of readers. The Fireside Reader sincerely thanks you!


Share the link: This page is located at http://thefiresidereader.blogspot.com .

I, ALEX CROSS, by James Patterson

I, ALEX CROSS

Fiction:Novel
by
James Patterson


www.jamespatterson.com


First Edition Hardback
released November, 2009

Published by:
Little, Brown and Company

Hachette Book Group
(www.hachettebookgroup.com)

ISBN: 978-0-316-01878-4

Price:

$27.99 U.S.
$34.99 Canada

The Guiness Book of World Records lists James Patterson as having had more New York Times Bestsellers than ANY other writer. Add another one to that long, long list of sucessful novels! This "Alex Cross" series item is the best yet created by this very consistent author.

Without offering up any spoilers, let me say that any time a family member turns up as the victim of a particularly gruesome murder, the stakes are ratcheted up to white hot pitch. Add in a sack full of fear, beloved children and elderly family, then the recipe for a terror-ific read is complete.



Note: Mr. Patterson has launched a website to aid adults in finding excellent books for children. You may visit it at: www.readkiddoread.com .


Reader's thanks to Hachette Publishing Group -- and Miriam Parker, Associate Director of Online Marketing -- for the opportunity to review this book and pass it along to the world of readers. The Fireside Reader sincerely thanks you!


Share the link: This page is located at http://thefiresidereader.blogspot.com .

"TELL ME SOMETHING TRUE", by Leila Cobo

TELL ME SOMETHING TRUE


A Novel

Written by

Leila Cobo

www.leilacobo.com


First Edition Trade Paperback
Released Oct., 2009

ISBN: 978-0-316-16631-7

Published by:

Grand Central Publishing

Via

Hachette Book Group

www.hachettebookgroup.com


Price:

$13.99 U.S.
$16.99 Canada

This finely wrought debut novel is a product of the renowned Leila Cobo, a former concert pianist and celebrated journalist native to Cali, Columbia and now residing in Florida, USA.

Ms. Cobo has every right to be proud of this book. The depth and sincerity of it strike home with the reader in a unique way. She clearly loves her native land and its peoples, and she understands that while nothing and no one is perfect, it is the way we deal with the search for perfection that defines us. She gives us a clear, unstinting portrait of Cali, Colombia as only such as she could.

TELL ME SOMETHING TRUE is a tale of interwoven lives and loves, of secrets and unavoidable truths. Tucked into the everyday is a hard look at how the drug industry, an intrinsic part of how the world outside perceives Columbia in general, destroys all it touches, beginning with those who deal in it. We're given a loving look at the arts and music, the extraordinary ordinary of the people there, their day to day struggles and joys.  Ms. Cobo has a gift for bringing caring to the reader, to widen our perceptions of a diverse world.

Recommended reading! This novel will not only entertain, it will enlighten.


Special thanks to Hachette Publishing Group -- and Miriam Parker, Associate Director of Online Marketing -- for the opportunity to review this book and pass it along to the world of readers. The Fireside Reader sincerely thanks you!

NINE DRAGONS, by Michael Connelly

NINE DRAGONS




Written by

Michael Connelly




www.michaelconnelly.com

Become a fan!

http://www.facebook.com/michaelconnellybooks

First Edition Hardback
released Oct., 2009

Published by:
Little, Brown and Company

ISBN: 978-0-316-16631-7

Price:

$27.99 U.S.
$34.99 Canada

Available also through Hachette Audio.
www.hachettebookgroup.com

Harry Bosch is back and on the job in Mr. Connelly's most recently released work, "NINE DRAGONS". From the black and gold of the cover, the exotic contrasts begin with a bang and keep on going.

In this round, Harry Bosch is sunk deep into a world almost unknown by non-Asian peoples, a world rich and replete with careful ceremony, deep spiritualism, and an insular protectiveness that both contrasts and blends seamlessly with definite materialistic leanings. His world has developed within himself out of need, and the utterly alien ways of Asians as compared to his concept of Americans (by way of having been a "tunnel rat" while in Viet Nam) strains his narrow tolerances -- yet, a strong survivor, he begins to adapt and learn.

It begins with a murder at Fortune Liquors. The storekeeper is killed, and by chance was slightly known by Harry Bosch. He carries an old matchbook with a fortune inside: "Happy is the man who finds refuge in himself." One match is missing, the story behind it a shadow that stays with the LAPD detective.

The stakes rise high, and Harry Bosch rises to meet them one by one with his trademark determination raised like a battle flag. But when the most important part of his life is endangered, that determination turns to something far more desperate.

Laid out between the ultra-American world of Las Angeles, California, and the ultra-Chinese world of Hong Kong -- both with international connections -- this story is to be recommended. Mr. Connelly is a master of his genre.

Also available: THE SCARECROW

Special thanks to Hachette Publishing Group -- and Miriam Parker, Associate Director of Online Marketing -- for the opportunity to review this book and pass it along to the world of readers. The Fireside Reader sincerely thanks you!

NINE DRAGONS, by Michael Connelly

NINE DRAGONS . . . Written by . Michael Connelly . www.michaelconnelly.com . Become a fan! . http://www.facebook.com/michaelconnellybooks . First Edition Hardback released Oct., 2009 . Published by: Little, Brown and Company . ISBN: 978-0-316-16631-7 . Price: $27.99 U.S. $34.99 Canada . Available also through Hachette Audio. . www.hachettebookgroup.com . . . .

Harry Bosch is back and on the job in Mr. Connelly's most recently released work, "NINE DRAGONS". From the black and gold of the cover, the exotic contrasts begin with a bang and keep on going. In this round, Harry Bosch is sunk deep into a world almost unknown by non-Asian peoples, a world rich and replete with careful ceremony, deep spiritualism, and an insular protectiveness that both contrasts and blends seamlessly with definite materialistic leanings. His world has developed within himself out of need, and the utterly alien ways of Asians as compared to his concept of Americans (by way of having been a "tunnel rat" while in Viet Nam) strains his narrow tolerances -- yet, a strong survivor, he begins to adapt and learn. It begins with a murder at Fortune Liquors. The storekeeper is killed, and by chance was slightly known by Harry Bosch. He carries an old matchbook with a fortune inside: "Happy is the man who finds refuge in himself." One match is missing, the story behind it a shadow that stays with the LAPD detective. The stakes rise high, and Harry Bosch rises to meet them one by one with his trademark determination raised like a battle flag. But when the most important part of his life is endangered, that determination turns to something far more desperate. Laid out between the ultra-American world of Las Angeles, California, and the ultra-Chinese world of Hong Kong -- both with international connections -- this story is to be recommended. Mr. Connelly is a master of his genre.

Also available: THE SCARECROW

Special thanks to Hachette Publishing Group -- and Miriam Parker, Associate Director of Online Marketing -- for the opportunity to review this book and pass it along to the world of readers. The Fireside Reader sincerely thanks you!