Recent Reads

28. The Madonnas of Echo Park
This was my book club selection this month, and it certainly gave us lots to talk about.

The setting is Echo Park, a Los Angeles neighborhood, and the characters are Mexican-Americans of various ages and legal status who live there. The cover labels this book a novel, which I felt was misleading as it is an interconnected story collection. Each chapter is a story from a different person's point of view, and in my opinion you need to know that going in, otherwise it is a confusing read.

I thought the author skillfully writes little vignettes, and it is not until you finish the book, and step back that you see the whole portrait he has created of a place, a time, and a people. Like any story collection, there are ones that I loved, and ones I did not, but overall, I liked it.

P.S. If you read this, read all the way through to the Q&A with the author, to learn more about the author's note that kicks off this collection. Rating: 3 stars.

29. Brave Intuitive Painting-Let Go, Be Bold, Unfold!: Techniques for Uncovering Your Own Unique Painting Style
Yeah, well if like me the title got you all excited, you might be disappointed with this book. It has wonderful photos, and I like the art the author creates, but the language is too flowery for my tastes, and while there are a few painting tips, there was not much cohesion or structure to this book. This read like a workshop put to paper, and there seems to be much lost in translation. Rating: 2 stars.

30. Stash & Smash: Art Journal Ideas
A collection of ideas on how to make and keep a stash book. A good source if you have never kept a journal, but nothing new in it for me. Rating: 2 stars.

31. The Dark
A school vacation week sleepover with my nephews is the perfect time to read books like this one.

From the jacket: Laszlo is afraid of the dark. The dark is not afraid of Laszlo. Laszlo lives in a house. The dark lives in the basement....

This is a fun picture book for younger readers, and the artwork is wonderful. Rating: 3 stars.