The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan

Bookstores and I are a dangerous combination; I can never walk out of one without buying at least a couples books, to add to the growing shelf of 'books I still need to read after I finish grading all these student essays!'  So a few weeks ago, when wandering in a local bookstore in LaJolla, CA, I chatted with a salesperson about Justin Cronin's huge bestseller, The Passage.  I was impatiently awaiting my pre-order copy of that sequel in the mail.  Her reply was, "If you liked that book, you have got to read The Last Werewolf."  Naturally, I was intrigued.  Now, having read it, I wouldn't connect it in any way to The Passage, which is a post-apocalyptic thriller with virus-based vampires.  The Last Werewolf  is an existential novel, questioning our reason for existence.  I know - that sounds rather boring, but the book is far from that.  The main character, Jake, is the last werewolf on earth, spending every waking moment staying clear of WOCOP (World Organization for the Control of Occult Phenomena).  I know - it's sounds like Twilight or Harry Potter.  However, due to Duncan's writing style and twists and turns of the plot, it raises the level far above that of teen-pop or kiddie lit (not that I don't love HP).  Duncan is obviously brilliant, and Jake is the reflection of his philosophy and deep thinking about existence.  As Jake runs, we are pulled into his story, however violent and twisted his life is.  And believe me...it is.  Quite often, the raw language, the twisted sex, and the graphic violence is hard to get past - at times, it made me want to take a shower after reading.  However, the story itself is quite gripping and takes an unexpected little twist half-way through.  By the last 100 pages, I had a hard time putting it down.  Will I read the second book?  I believe so, but it will be awhile - I need a break from the rawness of this book.  Would I recommend it?  I think so - it's a good story, but if you're a sensitive soul when it comes to language, sex, violence, I would say it's probably not a good fit.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Once I had read Gone Girl (LOVED) and Dark Places (liked but oh so dark), I had to read Gillian Flynn's first novel, Sharp Objects.  I actually think this may have been her best, even with how much I loved Gone Girl.  Sharp Objects takes the idea of 'dysfunctional' family not even to a new level, but to a new plane of existence.  It makes me wonder what kind of family Flynn grew up in and how her mother feels about her fiction-writing?  The main character, Camille Preaker, is a news reporter, returned to her Missouri small town to cover a murder of a young girl.  It seems there was another murder months previously as well, so Camille's editor sees a possible serial killer in the making.  As Camille interviews and discovers things in her town, we discover things about Camille.  Like how she has carved dozens of words (yep, you heard me, words) all over her body.  Hence, the long sleeved dresses in the middle of summer.  We meet her psycho mother and her damaged little sister.  The FBI agent (aka love interest) cannot possibly be construed as a real love story in this type of book.  Each time I thought I had it all figured out, I had gone down a carefully constructed rabbit hole.  Gillian Flynn is a brilliant writer and obviously twisted human being, but I do admit - I'll be first in line for her next book.  If you liked Gone Girl or you haven't read Gillian Flynn yet, do yourself a favor and get Sharp Objects - it's worth it.

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo

While I'm definitely the reading addict in our family, this time my husband beat me to this book.  After I read it, I can see why.  This is an awesome mystery!!  Nesbo is a Norwegian writer, so think Girl with the Dragon Tattoo kind of crime.  Same with Unwanted.  What is it with these Scandinavian writers? They have a twisted mind when it comes to crime, murder, sex, etc.  However, seeing as I'm strangely addicted to these books, perhaps that says something about my taste in literature as well? Regardless, Nesbo can certainly write.  He's written a number of books with the lead detective, Harry Hole (okay, we want to say it like American - hole - but it's actually said 'Hoo-lee' in Norway:).  Harry is an alcoholic, obsessive, strange little detective, but all together brilliant.  In The Snowman, he's chasing a murderer who, yes, leaves a snowman each time he kills.  And he always kills on the day of the first snow.  If you don't like brutal crime scenes, I'd stay away from this book - it doesn't pull any punches.  This is a psychological thriller that leaves the reader in one direction, then another, and then another, until we are just as twisted up trying to figure out 'who done it' as our good detective Harry is.  It's a great cast of sidekicks as well, with an intriguing ex-girlfriend, a few friendly detectives, and some weird doctors, but at the end of the day, it is Harry Hole who dominates the story, and the crime scenes.   I will be purchasing the next Harry Hole book as soon as I can get to the book store.

The Woodcutter by Reginald Hill
This is a humongously long book but...well worth it.  I wasn't sure what to make of it at first.  As you look at the outer cover, it seems almost like a fantasy, with the misty light in the forest.  Then, as you see the inner cover, it is the painting of a woodsman as he surveys the land.  Visually, it led me to believe perhaps a historical fiction, something during pioneer days?  I could not have been more wrong.  The story begins with the intrigue of a nameless boy, some secretive government spies, and a plan gone extremely awry. It is only in the last half of the book that those beginning snippets of mystery start to become clear.  The main character is a man named Wolf Hadda, and he has had a seriously bad last few years...falsely accused of horrific crimes, years spent in prison, and a disfiguring accident.  Through stories to his psychiatrist, we hear the tales of his youth and of his 'crime.'  The rest of the book is a roller coaster ride through family intrigue, friends betrayed, international espionage, and thwarted love.  In other words, it's a humdinger!  While I didn't want to put this book down, I had to at times, thanks to essays to grade.  Happily, the story was quite easy to pick back up and get into easily, reading the last 100 pages on a free Saturday afternoon.  This is not a straight mystery - it's so much more - but it is definitely a page turner - highly recommend.

The Financial Lives of Poets by Jess Walters
Obviously, going back to the classroom, after a summer of delirious reading, the time to pleasure-read has been cut down in a serious way.  However, thanks to the SSR time at Bellingham High School, I have been able to plow through a couple of books.  After reading Jess Walter's book Beautiful Ruins this summer (see review below) and falling in love with his eclectic group of characters, quirky plot line, and beautiful Italian setting, I figured his first book might be a similar love.  While I did love it, the word 'similar' is not exactly the right word.  In fact, if I hadn't seen his name as the author, I would never have guessed that the same man wrote The Financial Lives of Poets.
This book is a meanly hilarious look at the financial crisis of 2008 and beyond.  The main character is pretty much a loser...failed news reporter who decides that the best way to be an entrepreneur is to start an online financial advice column.  However, his reporting involves the advice in a poetic format, because of course, that's financially viable.  His next brilliant idea is to become a pot dealer to support his wife and two boys.  Thanks to some bumbling hood rats and snarky policemen, it does create for some hilarious moments.  Then, throw in a possibly unfaithful wife who has a TV shopping addiction, her ex-high school sweetheart otherwise known as Prince Chuck, a dementia-riddled father who only wants to watch the Rockford Files and make crude jokes about the television anchorwomen, and you've got some humorous moments.  However, some poignant ones also exist, along with some valid questions about life today...how do we create meaning when our expectations don't line up with our reality? This is a thought-provoking, timely, and entertaining book.