Set in the White House, the chef is murdered by an undercover agent. Through the book there is murder, romance, mayhem and recipes. The book looks at the daily life of the First Family of America and is part of the series "A White House Chef Mystery". Jo thought it was a good read, and it didn't contain any swear words.
Rosemary: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Cutting for Stone is a novel written by Ethiopian-born
medical doctor and author Abraham Verghese. It is a saga of twin
brothers, orphaned by their mother's death at their births and forsaken
by their father. The pair are raised in the household of two physicians and so are exposed to much medical information. Much of this also appears in the book.
Rosemary thought there were a lot of coincidences regarding people coming back into the story, but it did lead to a good conclusion.
Judy: Jonestown: The Power and Myth of Alan Jones by Chris Masters
Chris Masters was a journalist for the TV programme, Four Corners and he has written this unauthorized biography of the radio broadcaster, Alan Jones. Judy thought there was some concern that he could write so much that was unsubstantiated. On the 'father theme', Chris masters wishes he'd spent less time being a journalist and more time as a father!
Tam: Her Father's Daughter..The Bonnie Henderson Story by Debi Marshall
Most people know the story of Sara Henderson who saved her outback property from a crippling debt. She had 3 daughters, Bonnie being the youngest. She had an incredible relationship with her father, idolizing him, even though he was arrogant, a womanizer, a daredevil and a loudmouth.
She didn't get on with her mother so her father fostered particular skills in her, including flying, saddle making and working on the property.
Tam thought it was amazing that one person could have achieved so much, she had amazing energy levels.
To balance her view of Bonnie and her father, Tam also read Sarah Henderson's book, giving the mother's point of view.
Both books were very readable!
Pamela: Absolem Absolem by William Faulkner
William Faulkner won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1949.
Pamela said it was a very complicated story, and so it was difficult to explain the story. It is not written in chronological order, it has at least 5 narrators. Pamela thought it was a study of how difficult it is to understand the past.
Connie: Romulus my Father by Raimond Gaita
The book outlines the life of his father who came to Australia, with his wife and child, as an assisted migrant after World War 2. Romulus and his family were sent out to the country where labour was required building a major dam.
The family suffered many hardships but the book details the never dwindling love of Romulus for his son Raimond, in spite of the challenges of being abandoned by his wife and the confusion caused by his mental illness. He was hard on his son, but only wanted him to succeed.
Connie enjoyed it but didn't get a lot of joy from it. She thought she had probably got too involved with the family.
Kris: Her Father's Daughter by Alice Pung
This book tells the story of Alice Pung and her father, a survivor of the killing fields of Cambodia. Kris found the description of these killing fields very harrowing to read and she was amazed at the resilience of the people.
The author's father loved Australia and the chances it gave to his family. He had great determination to make a better life for them.
Anne: The Road by Cormac McCarthy
This is the story of a post apocalyptic journey by a father and son as they wander across the desolate landscape trying to get to the coast. Everything is burnt and cold as they push their cart containing their few possessions.
Anne found the story very depressing but thought that the relationship between the father and son was quite beautiful. The writing was magnificent, the words sparse but everyone of them counted for something. Despite it being harrowing and sad, she felt it was worth reading.
Tam: Her Father's Daughter..The Bonnie Henderson Story by Debi Marshall
Most people know the story of Sara Henderson who saved her outback property from a crippling debt. She had 3 daughters, Bonnie being the youngest. She had an incredible relationship with her father, idolizing him, even though he was arrogant, a womanizer, a daredevil and a loudmouth.
She didn't get on with her mother so her father fostered particular skills in her, including flying, saddle making and working on the property.
Tam thought it was amazing that one person could have achieved so much, she had amazing energy levels.
To balance her view of Bonnie and her father, Tam also read Sarah Henderson's book, giving the mother's point of view.
Both books were very readable!
Pamela: Absolem Absolem by William Faulkner
William Faulkner won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1949.
Pamela said it was a very complicated story, and so it was difficult to explain the story. It is not written in chronological order, it has at least 5 narrators. Pamela thought it was a study of how difficult it is to understand the past.
Connie: Romulus my Father by Raimond Gaita
The book outlines the life of his father who came to Australia, with his wife and child, as an assisted migrant after World War 2. Romulus and his family were sent out to the country where labour was required building a major dam.
The family suffered many hardships but the book details the never dwindling love of Romulus for his son Raimond, in spite of the challenges of being abandoned by his wife and the confusion caused by his mental illness. He was hard on his son, but only wanted him to succeed.
Connie enjoyed it but didn't get a lot of joy from it. She thought she had probably got too involved with the family.
Kris: Her Father's Daughter by Alice Pung
This book tells the story of Alice Pung and her father, a survivor of the killing fields of Cambodia. Kris found the description of these killing fields very harrowing to read and she was amazed at the resilience of the people.
The author's father loved Australia and the chances it gave to his family. He had great determination to make a better life for them.
Anne: The Road by Cormac McCarthy
This is the story of a post apocalyptic journey by a father and son as they wander across the desolate landscape trying to get to the coast. Everything is burnt and cold as they push their cart containing their few possessions.
Anne found the story very depressing but thought that the relationship between the father and son was quite beautiful. The writing was magnificent, the words sparse but everyone of them counted for something. Despite it being harrowing and sad, she felt it was worth reading.
Judy: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
While reading this favourite book, Judy noted how the children, Jem and Scout, saw their father, Atticus. Some of their comments were:
He was a single parent, and much older than all the other parents.
He read to them nightly, from his court papers as well as local newspapers.
He was approachable, a good listener and 'practised what he preached'.
He tried to instill in his children his sense of morality and justice.
He never held a grudge and always looked for the good in people.
He loved his children and always put their welfare first.
These are certainly all very honourable attributes for any father to have.
Julia: Only Dad by Alan Titchmarsh
Alan Titshmarsh is a well known BBC personality and garden expert. In his first novel he writes about the Drummond family who seem to live an idyllic and very happy life. All this changes when on a family holiday in Tuscany, disaster strikes them.
Julia really enjoyed this lighthearted and funny story. It had a nice feel to it and was a good read.
Laura: Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
Morrie is the archetypical father figure giving advice from his deathbed. He knows he's dying and takes this opportunity to share his life's wisdom. But much of what he relates we already know: eg people over things and money over family.
There are no new great revelations. Julia thought it a good book but didn't change her life.
Claurine: Short History of Tractors in the Ukraine by Marina Lewycha
The author was born in a refugee camp and so much of the story is about her life in the Ukraine.
The front story begins when the elderly mother dies and her husband who is 84 years old, plans to marry a voluptous blonde Ukrainian woman who is 36 years old.
The 2 daughters, who are not on speaking terms, must overcome their differences, to try to stop this woman.
Within this plot is the writing of the book by the old man, about the history of tractors.
Claurine found parts of it amusing but towards the end of the book, the story was getting a bit silly.
Rosemary: A Twist of Lemmon by Chris Lemmon
It must always be difficult being the child of famous parents and it was no different for Chris Lemmon. He grew up feeling very bitter towards his father for divorcing his mother when he was quite young. In this book he talks about their relationship which he describes as being that of a 'best friend' rather than a father. There was no real home life just recreational time with him.
He also shared many funny anecdotes about his dad which added to it being a good read, a heart warming memoir.
Other recommendations:
Maree: The Storyteller by Jodie Picoult
The Light between oceans by M L Stedman
Pamela: How to be a Good Wife by Emma Chapman ...well written but with a very ambiguous ending
The Fishing Fleet - Husband Hunting in the Raj by Ann De Courcy ...factual account of women who went out to India to work
Anne: A Fine Balance by Rohan Mistry ... despair and hope of the very poor in India
While reading this favourite book, Judy noted how the children, Jem and Scout, saw their father, Atticus. Some of their comments were:
He was a single parent, and much older than all the other parents.
He read to them nightly, from his court papers as well as local newspapers.
He was approachable, a good listener and 'practised what he preached'.
He tried to instill in his children his sense of morality and justice.
He never held a grudge and always looked for the good in people.
He loved his children and always put their welfare first.
These are certainly all very honourable attributes for any father to have.
Julia: Only Dad by Alan Titchmarsh
Alan Titshmarsh is a well known BBC personality and garden expert. In his first novel he writes about the Drummond family who seem to live an idyllic and very happy life. All this changes when on a family holiday in Tuscany, disaster strikes them.
Julia really enjoyed this lighthearted and funny story. It had a nice feel to it and was a good read.
Laura: Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
Morrie is the archetypical father figure giving advice from his deathbed. He knows he's dying and takes this opportunity to share his life's wisdom. But much of what he relates we already know: eg people over things and money over family.
There are no new great revelations. Julia thought it a good book but didn't change her life.
Claurine: Short History of Tractors in the Ukraine by Marina Lewycha
The author was born in a refugee camp and so much of the story is about her life in the Ukraine.
The front story begins when the elderly mother dies and her husband who is 84 years old, plans to marry a voluptous blonde Ukrainian woman who is 36 years old.
The 2 daughters, who are not on speaking terms, must overcome their differences, to try to stop this woman.
Within this plot is the writing of the book by the old man, about the history of tractors.
Claurine found parts of it amusing but towards the end of the book, the story was getting a bit silly.
Rosemary: A Twist of Lemmon by Chris Lemmon
It must always be difficult being the child of famous parents and it was no different for Chris Lemmon. He grew up feeling very bitter towards his father for divorcing his mother when he was quite young. In this book he talks about their relationship which he describes as being that of a 'best friend' rather than a father. There was no real home life just recreational time with him.
He also shared many funny anecdotes about his dad which added to it being a good read, a heart warming memoir.
Other recommendations:
Maree: The Storyteller by Jodie Picoult
The Light between oceans by M L Stedman
Pamela: How to be a Good Wife by Emma Chapman ...well written but with a very ambiguous ending
The Fishing Fleet - Husband Hunting in the Raj by Ann De Courcy ...factual account of women who went out to India to work
Anne: A Fine Balance by Rohan Mistry ... despair and hope of the very poor in India
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