Kate’s 2¢: “In the Full Light of the Sun” by Clare Clark

“In the Full Light of the Sun” by Clare Clark

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

There actually was a scandal about van Gogh  paintings being fake or original. Clark weaves threads of fact and fiction to bring about an intricate narrative arc  to connect the four factions.

I like reading about the factual events at the end of the fictional story.

I suppose it is inevitable that most of the  stories published these days are reflective of the LGBTQ movement.  This one sure is.

From her website:

Clare read History at Trinity College, Cambridge, where she was a Senior Scholar. She graduated with a Double First.

Her first novel, The Great Stink, was published by Viking in 2005 after a five-way auction: critically acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic, The Great Stink was long-listed for the Orange Prize, won the Pendleton May First Novel award in the UK and the Quality Paperback Book Club New Voices award in the USA. It was a Washington Post Best Book of the Year. Since then The Great Stink has been translated into five languages.

She has since published three more books: The Nature of Monsters; Savage Lands, which was long-listed for the Orange Prize in 2010; and Beautiful Lies. Her most recent two novels were published by Harvill Secker, part of the Random House Group, in the UK and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in the US.

Her fifth novel, We That Are Left, will be published in the UK in March 2015 and in the US in the fall. Only weeks after completion, it has already been snapped up by publishers in Germany and France.

She is a regular contributor to the Guardian’s literary pages, reviewing both fiction and non-fiction, and writes for several other broadsheet newspapers, both in the UK and the USA. She works as a tutor on the Creative Writing MA at City University. She lives in London with her husband and two children.

Hilary Mantel: Clark is one of those writers who can see

into the past and help us feel its texture.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

In the full light of the sun DB97406

Clark, Clare. Reading time: 13 hours, 18 minutes.

Read by Mark Ashby.

Historical Fiction

In 1920s Berlin, the lives of four people converge. Artist Emmeline searched for meaning. Art connoisseur Julius prefers paintings over people. Jewish lawyer Frank recognizes the dangers of the rising Nazi party. And art dealer Matthias provokes scandal with a new van Gogh. Strong language and descriptions of sex. 2019.

Kate’s 2¢: “Little by little: a writer’s education”, “Stars come out within”, and “The belonging place” by Jean Little

“Little by little: a writer’s education”, “Stars come out within”, and “The belonging place” by Jean Little

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read. I’m just saying…

I first heard about Jean Little during a Behind Our Eyes, Inc./Written Word Party-Line tele-conference with author Kristen Witucki on July 21, 2019.

I down-loaded three of Jean Little’s many books: “Little by little: a writer’s education”, “Stars come out within”, and “The belonging place”.

It was easy to remember the title and author – Little By Little by Jean Little. It is a clever way to remember the title and author, but, I also enjoyed the story she told about herself growing up with a disability. Most of her books are for younger readers, yet, I’m a big fan of parents reading what their children read…maybe even read the book with their children. It’s a great spring-board to valuable discussions about disabilities, abilities, inclusion, and well, things that happen in life.

In “Stars come out within”, Little delves into her teaching experience, becoming a published children’s author, and her first guide dog, all  while losing her eye-sight. I could identify with her elation when a student gets that “aha moment”; the  agony of feeling isolated and alone; the irritation of other people not sharing the same thrill she felt when she held her first published book; and especially, the frustration of eye doctors who don’t seem to understand that her eyes are connected to her whole body, so they treat her like a piece of furniture.  And, of course, my first guide dog was perfect, too!

I’d recommend the three books I read and, I suspect, other books by Jean Little would be worth reading, too.

From Wikipedia:

Jean Little was born in Taiwan  on January 2, 1932. Her parents were Canadian doctors serving as medical missionaries under the United Church of Canada. The Little family came home to live in Canada in 1939, moving to Guelph in 1940. Although Little was legally blind from birth, she attended elementary and secondary school in regular classes. She went to the University of Toronto and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature.

After teaching disabled children for several years, Little wrote her first children’s novel, Mine for Keeps, about a child with cerebral palsy. It won the Little, Brown Canadian Children’s Book Award and was published in 1962. She has subsequently written numerous published works, which include novels, picture books, poetry, short stories, and two autobiographical books. Her novel, His Banner Over Me, is based on her mother’s childhood. Little has won literary awards for her work and has been published internationally.

Little has taught Children’s Literature at the University of Guelph, where she is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of English. She has six honorary degrees and is a Member of the Order of Canada. She has journeyed widely talking to both adults and children themselves about the joys to be found through reading and writing. In March 2004, she went to India and in November 2006 to Bulgaria. Little gave the 2016 Margaret Lawrence Lecture at the Canadian Writers Summit in June.[1]

As of 2016, Little resides in Guelph, Ontario with her sister Pat, her great-niece Jeanie, and her great-nephew Ben. She continues to write through the aid of a talking computer and travels with her Seeing Eye dog Honey.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Little by little: a writer’s education DB29589

Little, Jean. Reading time: 5 hours, 31 minutes.

Read by Kerry Dukin.

Disability

Jean Little, an accomplished Canadian writer of books for young people, is legally blind. In this autobiography that focuses on her life from childhood through college, she shares with readers the ridicule, humiliation, and strength she encountered as she struggled to live as a blind child in a sighted world. For grades 5-8 and older readers.

Stars come out within DB36981

Little, Jean. Reading time: 7 hours, 2 minutes.

Read by Kerry Dukin.

Biography of Writers

Following Little by Little (RC 29589), the second installment of the author’s memoirs begins with her first day teaching disabled children. Little herself has always been visually impaired–a condition that worsens when she loses an eye to glaucoma. She is helped over this hurdle by the success of her first children’s book and then by Zephyr, her new dog guide. Little continues to write stories featuring disabled children.

The belonging place DB47528

Little, Jean. Reading time: 3 hours, 29 minutes.

Read by Kristin Allison.

Historical Fiction

In the mid-nineteenth century, the Gordon family moves from Scotland to Canada bringing their adopted daughter, Elspet, with them. When Elspet breaks her leg, Granny Ross suggests that Elspet write down her life story to keep occupied. She reflects on her experiences living with different people in various places and how she gradually realized what it means to belong. For grades 4-7.

Kate’s 2¢: If there be thorns, Garden of shadows”, Flowers in the attic”, Petals on the wind” by Virginia C Andrews

“If there be thorns, Garden of shadows”, Flowers in the attic”, Petals on the wind” by Virginia C Andrews

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

“Flowers in the Attic” is a 1979 Gothic novel by V. C. Andrews in the  Dollanganger Series

It is controversial, because it deals with the obsessive, incestuous relationship between the two older teens in the family. I wanted to flog the Mother and Grandmother who kept the children imprisoned in the attic rooms.

I marveled at how well the older teens took care of the younger two; and certainly didn’t blame them for the things that happened. It was interesting how the author brought the story around to have history repeat itself.  I had no problem with how the story ended.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Petals on the wind / DB34341

Andrews, V. C, (Virginia C.). Reading time: 16 hours, 34 minutes.

Read by Barbara Caruso. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

Suspense Fiction

Carrie, Chris, and Cathy finally escape from the attic where they had been imprisoned for more than three years by their greedy mother and sadistic grandmother. They attempt to pick up the pieces of their lives, but Cathy is determined to get revenge at any price. Explicit descriptions of sex. Sequel to “Flowers in the Attic.”

The book was adapted into a stage play by V. C. Andrews’s ghost writer, Andrew Neiderman, in the form of an e-book and was published by Pocket Star. The Shadows”, “Christopher’s Diary: Secrets of Foxworth”, “Christopher’s

Diary: Echoes of Dollanganger” and “Christopher’s Diary: Secret Brother”. The novel is written in the first-person, from the point of view of Cathy Dollanganger.

Flowers in the attic DB36176

Andrews, V. C, (Virginia C.). Reading time: 13 hours, 59 minutes.

Read by Barbara Caruso. A production of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

Suspense Fiction

Bestsellers

In order to inherit a fortune, Corrine Dollanganer hides the existence of her four children from their grandfather by packing them off to live secretly in an attic. But the grandfather’s death takes years, and the children’s ordeal of boredom and desire, interrupted only by their grandmother’s acts of sadistic cruelty, stretches into months and years. Explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller.

Garden of shadows DB26953

Andrews, V. C, (Virginia C.). Reading time: 11 hours, 19 minutes.

Read by Jill Ferris. A production of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

Suspense Fiction

Bestsellers

In this “prequel” to “Flowers in the Attic,” we meet young, handsome Malcolm Foxworth, and his new wife Olivia. Soon three beautiful children are born–one of which will hold the key to the shocking secret that will taint the Foxworths forever and cause Malcolm and Olivia to become evil. Explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller.

If there be thorns DB60196

Andrews, V. C, (Virginia C.). Reading time: 12 hours, 56 minutes.

Read by Barbara Caruso. A production of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

Supernatural and Horror Fiction

A sinister old woman and her butler living next door lure nine-year-old Bart from his loving home. Soon the neighbors’ dreadful stories about the boy’s parents lead him to shocking acts of violence. Sequel to Petals on the Wind (DB 34341). 1981.

Kate’s 2¢:”Suicide Run”, “Cielo Azul”, and “One Dollar Jackpot by Michael Connelly

”Suicide Run”, “Cielo Azul”, and “One Dollar Jackpot by Michael Connelly

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

The stories I’ve read prior to these three, are of Harry when he was off the force, somewhat labeled as a black sheep.

Suicide Run” – With Harry’s typical confidence, logic, and intuition, he doesn’t let go of the case until he’s solved it.  and

“Cielo Azul” – Once again, Harry doesn’t let go, but this time, although he finds the murderer, he’ll never find out the victim’s name.

“One Dollar Jackpot –  Harry works with a colleague, training her in the fine art of ‘catch a murder’.

From https://www.michaelconnelly.com

Michael Connelly (b. July 21st, 1956 in Philadelphia) is a bestselling American author. He is most famous for writing two series of crime novels, one following LAPD Detective Harry Bosch and a second featuring defense attorney Mickey Haller.

He is also the executive producer of Bosch, an Amazon Studios original based on his bestselling character Harry Bosch.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Suicide run: three Harry Bosch stories DB97953

Connelly, Michael. Reading time: 3 hours, 18 minutes.

Read by Len Cariou.

Mystery and Detective Stories

LAPD Detective Harry Bosch in three never-before-collected stories. In the title entry, the apparent suicide of a beautiful young starlet turns out to be much more sinister than it seems. Also includes “Cielo Azul” and “One Dollar Jackpot. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2011.

Kate’s 2¢: “Amour et chocolat: The Chocolate Touch” (Book 4) AND “Amour et chocolat: The Chocolate Heart” (Book 5) by Laura Florand

“Amour et chocolat: The Chocolate Touch” (Book 4) AND   “Amour et chocolat: The Chocolate Heart” (Book 5) by Laura Florand

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

“Amour et chocolat: The Chocolate Touch” (Book 4) AND   “Amour et chocolat: The Chocolate Heart” (Book 5) by Laura Florand

In addition to down-loading my own selections from the NLS/BARD/LOC, they will send me a variety of cartridges. When stories came on the tape cassettes, my policy was to listen to one side of the tape. If it caught my fancy, I’d finish the book; otherwise, I’d send it back. Now, with cartridges, I’ll listen for a while. If there’s a lot of four letter words and other lazy language, I’ll send it back.

I received “Amour et chocolat: The Chocolate Touch” (Book 4); “Amour et chocolat: The Chocolate Heart” (Book 5); and “Amour Et Chocolat: The Chocolate Temptation” (book 6) by Laura Florand all on one cartridge. I listened to Book 4, wondering all the time if it might catch fire and move along more quickly. It didn’t. Then, I listened to Book 5, but found the same style rather slow to come to any climax (excuse the pun!), but, it didn’t. I did not read more than a few virtual pages in Book 6.

In Book 4, the main characters hopped into bed to shake booty before they shook hands. In Book 5, other main characters took an agonizing long time to get to the point. I didn’t read Book 6.

Aside from the amoral aspect of these stories (Yes, I’m a prude.), the French men I’ve met are in no way as insecure as these chocolate chefs are. Then again, the men I knew weren’t as successful as Florand’s men and women.

I like the way Florand  introduced characters based on previous stories, but, they were relatives and you didn’t need to read the previous books to know what their history was and how they related to each other.

Since I only speak English, Spanish, and profanity and now can braille all three, I found so much French language incomprehensible and irritating. I think if you’ve been to France and know the many streets and places she mentions, you might enjoy Florand’s books.

FROM nlS/BARD/LOC:

Amour et Chocolat. Books 1-2 DB91392

Florand, Laura. Reading time: 20 hours, 5 minutes.

Read by Mare Trevathan.

Romance

Two contemporary romance novels, written in 2012 and 2013 and set in Paris. In The Chocolate Thief, American Cade Corey, heiress to a chocolate fortune, arrives in Paris determined to get famed chocolatier Sylvain Marquis to work for her company. Also includes The Chocolate Kiss. Some strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2013.

Amour et Chocolat. Books 4-6 DB93146

Florand, Laura. Reading time: 47 hours, 0 minutes.

Read by Carol Jacobanis.

Romance

Three contemporary romance novels and a novella set in the pastry kitchens and chocolate shops of Paris and Provence, written in 2013 and 2014. Includes The Chocolate Touch, The Chocolate Heart, the novella Shadowed Heart, and The Chocolate Temptation. Some strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2014.

Kate’s 2¢: “Thirty Thousand On The Hoof” by Zane Grey

“Thirty Thousand On The Hoof” by Zane Grey

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

Who hasn’t heard about Zane Grey’s classic western stories? I, for one, enjoy the rich descriptions of the topography, flora, and fauna of  the old west written with a vocabulary deep in meaning and nuances. I suppose today’s editors might edit a lot out of the verbiage, but, it reflects a time gone by when people had the time and inclination to read.

From Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zane_Grey

Pearl Zane Grey was born January 31, 1872, in Zanesville, Ohio. His birth name may have originated from newspaper descriptions of Queen Victoria’s mourning clothes as “pearl grey.” He was the fourth of five children born to Alice “Allie” Josephine Zane, whose English Quaker immigrantancestor Robert Zane came to the North American colonies in 1673, and her husband, Lewis M. Gray, a dentist. His family changed the spelling of its last name to “Grey” after his birth. Later Grey dropped Pearl and used Zane …

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Zane-Grey:

Jan 27, 2020 · Zane Grey, prolific writer whose romantic novels of the American West largely created a new literary genre, the western. Trained as a dentist, Grey practiced in New York City from 1898 to 1904, when he published privately a novel of pioneer life, Betty Zane, based on an ancestor’s journal.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Thirty thousand on the hoof DB97514

Grey, Zane. Reading time: 10 hours, 19 minutes.

Read by Robert G. Slade.

Western Stories

Logan Huett was familiar with the hardships and rewards of pioneer life, but even he could not foresee the challenges he, his wife Lucina, and their brood of children would face. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 1940.

Downloaded: January 27, 2020

Kate’s 2¢: “The revolution of Birdie Randolph” by Brandy Colbert

“The revolution of Birdie Randolph” by Brandy Colbert

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the

title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

I’m interested in writing Young Adult stories, so I read as many of them as I can access.

“The revolution of Birdie Randolph” highlights the struggles teens of every gender preference and race face when their family values bump into what the teen’s emerging values will become.

While I recognize this story reflects the times, it is unfortunate that it condones (and seems to promote) teenagers having sexual intercourse.  Yeah, yeah, Booker used a condum; however, it downplays the emotional, physical, and psychological facets of hormonal lust versus mature love.

I’m not going to be a spoiler by telling too much of the Randolph’s family secret. Suffice to say, lies and secrets have a way of rearing up to bite you and others in the but! It’s best to tell the truth right from the ‘gitgo’.

I think that “Little and Lion” would leave a gender disforic teen even more confused, even though this story is  one of The Stonewall Book Awards of the American Library Association, which  are given annually since 1971to English-language books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender experience. The awards are given to works published in the United States in the previous calendar year, although works published elsewhere may be considered.

From her website:

Brandy Colbert is an American author of young adult fiction and non-fiction, best known for her 2018 Stonewall Children’s Award-winning novel “Little & Lion”, “Finding Yvonne”, “Pointe”, and “The Revolution of Birdie Randolph”.

Growing up in Springfield, Missouri, Brandy was surrounded by stories from a young age.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

The revolution of Birdie Randolph DB96378

Colbert, Brandy. Reading time: 6 hours, 32 minutes.

Read by Andrea Lang.

Human Relations

Young Adult

Sixteen-year-old Dove “Birdie” Randolph’s close bond with her parents is threatened by a family secret and by her hidden relationship with Booker, who has been in juvenile detention. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2019.

Download The revolution of Birdie Randolph

Little and Lion DB90069

Colbert, Brandy. Reading time: 8 hours, 14 minutes.

Read by Alisha Wainwright. A production of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

Family

Young Adult

Suzette returns home to Los Angeles from boarding school. She grapples with her bisexual identity when she and her brother, Lionel, fall in love with the same girl, pushing Lionel’s bipolar disorder to spin out of control. Strong language. Commercial audiobook. Stonewall Book Award. For senior high and older readers. 2017.

Finding Yvonne DB91945

Colbert, Brandy. Reading time: 6 hours, 11 minutes.

Read by Maya Barton. A production of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

Family

Young Adult

Raised by a workaholic father who is a restaurateur, Yvonne faces difficult choices about love, her training as a violinist, college, and career as high school graduation draws near. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2018.

Kate’s 2¢: “Car Tag: by H. Lee Barnes

“Car Tag: by H. Lee Barnes

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

This was a complex story that needed a narrator with several voices to facilitate the comprehension of who was saying what. Much of the dialogue was quick repartee  among the three brothers.

I hope there is a sequel to this story, because I really disliked the ending.

From: www.hleebarnes.netActions for this site

1. Lee Barnes lives in Las Vegas, Nevada where he teaches English and creative writing at the College of Southern Nevada. He graduated the University of Nevada Las Vegas as the Outstanding Senior in the College of Arts and Letters, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with high distinction, and later graduated Arizona State University with a Master of Fine Arts in Creative writing (fiction).

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Car tag DBC13344

Barnes, H. Lee. Reading time: 5 hours, 14 minutes.

Read by Dianne Solinger. A production of Nevada Talking Book Services, Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records,.

Growing Up

Suspense Fiction

Family

Three brothers with plenty against them, but they had each other and Car Tag, a game they created to prove that they were men. They grow apart as they grow older: Alex drifts away early; Billy spends much of his adult life on death row for killing a rural police officer; Drew, a successful police officer in Las Vegas, fights for his brother’s life and to bring the brothers back together. Some descriptions of sex. Some strong language. Some violence.

Kate’s 2¢: “Anything For You” by Saul Black

“Anything For You” by Saul Black

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I’ve read.  I’m just saying…

I don’t know why writers think they have to use so much potty mouth language. Christina Delaine did a good job of reading “Anything For You”  in a not too suttle dramatic voice, but, I almost deleted the story from my Victor Stream Reader, because I didn’t want to listen to 13 hours/18 minutes of filth.

Before I did, the scene shifted to another “main” character, who knew how to not talk trash; well, mostly. The plot thickened and I continued to listen, discounting the potty mouth.  It turned out to be a pretty good story. Although, I did find the ending a bit unsettling.

I often wonder why a writer chooses to use a pen name. Lewis Carrol used a fake name for “Alice in Wonderland”, so people wouldn’t associate a child’s fantasy story with his academic mathematic tomes. An editor of a start-up magazine used various pseudonyms, so readers would think he had many contributing writers. Perhaps, a writer wants to try his hand at a different genre, to stand on its own merit, instead of being judged on his already famous name. Then again, maybe the writer just doesn’t like his given name. I prefer honesty and using one’s real name.

From the web:

Saul Black is the pen name used by the critically acclaimed British author named Glen Duncan. He is well known for writing thriller, mystery, and horror novels, such as, The Last Werewolf and many other books. Author Saul was born in the year 1965 in the city of Bolton, Lancashire, England. His family belongs to the Anglo-Indian community. In 1994, author Saul had visited India with his father before continuing on to the United States, where he spent several months travelling the country by Amtrak train, writing much of what would become his first novel, Hope …

From NLS.BARD.LOC:

Anything for you DB97523

Black, Saul. Reading time: 13 hours, 18 minutes.

Read by Christina Delaine.

Suspense Fiction

Mystery and Detective Stories

A watchful neighbor locks eyes with an intruder and unwittingly alerts the police to a vicious crime scene next door where a man lies dead, his wife clinging to life next to him. The victim was a well-known San Francisco prosecutor with a connection to homicide detective Valerie Hart. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2019.