The Myth of America's Decline: Politics, Economics, and a Half Century of False Prophecies by Josef Joffe

This was a very good book on economic policy of the United States, and world politics in general. Joffe is clearly a genius of both economics and politics. I received a free copy of this book as a "first read" from Goodreads, and was not disappointed. I expected it to be a bunch of biased babbling about the current state of the economy. What I found was a history of economic policy in the U.S. and throughout the world, and how each "tide" of the economy guided politics and then led to chances in the economic future. I love the way the author traced the "gloom and doom" mentality all the way to Daniel in the Bible, and showed not only the way politicians have used this philosophy since that time, but the flaw in the perspective that the economy is headed for a big crash. Joffe illustrates how economic decline is part of a cycle, and how strong countries such as the U.S. will always have a means to change the cycle. 

The Bottom Line:  Every registered voter should read this book.

Rating:  90

Touch and Go, by Lisa Gardner

      About two years ago, I read my first novel by Lisa Gardner.  It was a Nook "Free Fridays" selection.  I was not familiar with her work, but it looked interesting enough to me.  To be quite honest, I can't even remember which book it was.  As soon as I completed that book, I decided I had to read everything I could by this author.  My favorite genre is mystery/suspense, and I got so carried away by her writing that I knew I would like more of her books.  So I continued to read them and have felt the same about each one so I can't even remember which one it was I liked so much that I fell for this author.  But whichever one it was, I'm glad it was free, or I would have missed out on a great writer.  It really is true....the best things is life (sometimes) are free!

     Touch and Go was not a disappointment.  Once again, I was caught up in a mystery that kept my captivated for days until I finally completed the novel.  This story begins with a married couple walking into their home after a "date night" to be attacked and abducted, along with their 15-year-old daughter.  Tessa Leoni, private investigator, is hired by the husband/father's company to find the family.  Gardner gives us a look into the intimate lives of an affluent family, and shows how some secrets can damage everything in a moment's notice.  And just when you think you understand everything and know what happened, hold old, because another twist is coming!

The Bottom Line:  Suspenseful, insightful, and just a good solid mystery.

Rating: 88

Orphan Train

     I just finished Orphan Train, by Christina Baker Kline.  I have to start by saying this book was good.  Really good.  But it wasn't as good as I expected it to be.  I had read numerous reviews and accolades about how it was one of the best books of 2013, so I couldn't wait to read it.  I'm not sure that it lived up to all of the hype, but it was a really good read, and a "feel good" story.



     Orphan Train  is a story told from two perspectives, 80 years apart.  Niamh is an Irish-American orphan who goes west on an Orphan Train in 1929, hoping for a family to take her in as a daughter or as a household helper. Molly is a foster child living in Maine, who has seen her share of troubles. Due to a brush with the criminal system, she is required to do 50 hours of community service.  She lands a job helping Vivian Daly, a 90 year old woman who has a story of her own.

The way the two narrators connect is beautiful.  The way Vivian and Molly relate is very unlikely, yet truly believable.  The story (or stories) in this book illustrate the real-world dilemmas that confront children in our foster care system, and the fact that these struggles have not changed much over time, despite changes to the way these cases are managed.  The author gives us deeply intimate insight into the lives of those who much of the world see as "unwanted" children.  We see how these children are much like us, but how their circumstances have shaped their attitudes and behavior.


      The only problem I have with this book is that I wish some parts were developed a little better. Often, significant events just happen, and there is not a lot of substance surrounding those events.  I would have been fine with 350 pages instead of 278, if the author had developed some of the situations more.  I don't want to give specific examples in this review, because it would include spoilers, but there were several times I became excited about a particular story development, and then it just moved on.  Also, Kline did a fantastic job of weaving Niamh's heritage in the storyline and its effect on her relationship with others.  Molly's Native American heritage was mentioned, but it was not explored in depth and didn't lend much to her identity.


    


Rating: 85/100
Bottom line: Overall, this was a great book with a great story.  If you like historical fiction and comforting stories, this is a book you shouldn't miss.