Skip to Content

I made it!

Margaret Cezair-Thompson
394 pages

Read for: LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program

From the Publisher:
"In 1946, a storm-wrecked boat carrying Hollywood’s most famous swashbuckler shored up on the coast of Jamaica, and the glamorous world of 1940’s Hollywood converged with that of a small West Indian society. After a long and storied career on the silver screen, Errol Flynn spent much of the last years of his life on a small island off of Jamaica, throwing parties and sleeping with increasingly younger teenaged girls. Based on those years, The Pirate’s Daughter is the story of Ida, a local girl who has an affair with Flynn that produces a daughter, May, who meets her father but once.

Spanning two generations of women whose destinies become inextricably linked with the matinee idol’s, this lively novel tells the provocative history of a vanished era, of uncommon kinships, compelling attachments, betrayal and atonement in a paradisal, tropical setting. As adept with Jamaican vernacular as she is at revealing the internal machinations of a fading and bloated matinee idol, Margaret Cezair-Thompson weaves a saga of a mother and daughter finding their way in a nation struggling to rise to the challenge of independence."

From Me:
I had a bit of trouble getting into this book at first. I am not sure why other than the fact that I disliked Errol Flynn as portrayed in this book so much that I didn't care to finish. However, as I kept plugging along I found that I began to care deeply about Ida first and then her daughter May, and finally, about many of the family and friends that surround her. I also found that I became more and more interested in the portrayal of a by-gone era and the happenings on the island of Jamaica.

I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the portrayal of Errol Flynn, the history of Jamaica, or any of the other stars mentioned. However, I can vouch for the fact that this was an enjoyable story that really made the island of Jamaica come alive in my mind. I am glad that I persevered with this one.(3.5/5)

Similar entries
  • The Secret Between Us

    Barbara Delinsky
    317 pages

    Reason for Reading: ARC from publisher, Pub '08 Challenge

    Back of the Book:
    "Deborah Monroe and her daughter, Grace, are driving home from a party when their car hits a man running in the dark. Grace was at the wheel, but Deborah sends her home before the police arrive, determined to shoulder the blame for the accident. Her decision then turns into a deception that takes on a life of its own and threatens the special bond between mother and daughter."

    My Thoughts:
    I found this to be a very interesting story of the complexity of family relationships. It deftly illustrates how no decision we make is without repercussions for our family members.
    Deborah chooses to shoulder the responsibility for Grace's actions and inadvertently touches off a chain reaction of events that leads to family confessions about pressure, expectations and what it means to be accepted and loved in a family.

  • Firefly Lane

    Kristin Hannah
    479 pages

    Reason for Reading: LT Early Reviewers ARC, Pub '08 Challenge, A-Z Challenge, Chunkster Challenge.

    From the Publisher:

  • WoooHoooo!

    I found out this morning that I snagged a copy of "Have You Found Her: A Memoir" by Janice Erlbaum from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer Program . I am looking forward to reading this!

  • Have You Found Her- Janice Erlbaum

    Janice Erlbaum
    342 pages
    Reason for Reading: I received this ARC from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.

  • The Sunday Salon

    I didn't know that when I made my TSS post last week that not only would I not finish The Translator last Sunday, I wouldn't even finish it last week. I had such high hopes for my reading schedule last week too but the real world intervened.

    I did finally finish today though. What a powerful book this was!

    Daoud Hari
    200 pages

    Reason for Reading: LibraryThing Early Reviewers title, Pub '08 Challenge.

    For those of us living in the United States, the suffering that goes on in other parts of the world is unimaginable. Darfur is one of the places where such suffering takes place. Genocide is occurring there and military power is constantly shifting. The reasons for this are complicated. However, this book contains an appendix that helps to explain it.

  • In the Mail

    After arriving home from a pleasant day of shopping with my family yesterday, I found a package that contained The Shipping News. I won this in a drawing from Michelle over at 1 More Chapter . I was excited to have received it and can't wait to read it! Thanks so much Michelle! I love free books and I really love reading your blog!

  • Blood Work

    Michael Connelly
    391 pages
    Read for: The Book Awards Challenge

    Terry McCaleb used to be a top FBI profiler but the stress has taken it's toll on him. He suffers a heart attack which leaves him him in need of a heart transplant. He receives his heart transplant and is recovering at his boat when Graciela, the sister of his heart donor, shows up and asks him to help her find her sister's killer. Things get twisty from there.

  • Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen

    Susan Gregg Gilmore
    293 pages

    Reason for Reading: ARC, Pub '08 Challenge

    Catherine Grace Cline was 6 years old on the hot summer day that her mama went to pick berries, fell into the river, and died. The indelible influence of growing up in a small town without a mother makes Catherine long for the day that she can leave Ringgold, Georgia behind her.

    When I received the ARC of this book I thought I was in for a fun, light-hearted read. It was that. It was charming, humorous and fun but it was also touching. The evolution of Catherine's relationship to her sister, father, Sunday School teacher, and next door neighbor, Gloria Jean made reading the whole book worthwhile. However, I enjoyed getting to know the residents of Ringgold, warts and all, and I enjoyed the way that the author drew the story to a close. (4/5)

  • The Sunday Salon - Substitutions

    About 40 or so pages into my current book, Gate of the Sun, I was still having trouble with feeling like I wanted to avoid reading. I tend to do this if I am not enjoying a book and it takes me a while to figure out why I am playing stupid computer games rather than reading.

    Now, I honestly don't feel that there is anything wrong with the book. I am still interested in reading it at some point. It's just not what I am in the mood for right now. However, I have been one that has a hard time setting a book aside and I found myself in the same boat with this title. This is a book I am reading for a challenge as well as for pleasure and I wanted to push through so I could cross it off the list. Not the best way to plan your reading adventures and it certainly doesn't sound pleasurable, does it?

  • A Thousand Splendid Suns

    Khaled Hosseini
    372 pages
    Library Book

    I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book. I just read "The Kite Runner" a few months ago and I thought that it was an incredible book. Wonderful as engaging fiction, yet with an amazing amount of information packed in there also.

    To be honest, I was a little skeptical that I would like this book as well as I liked "The Kite Runner" since the second book by an author, oftentimes, doesn't stand up to the hype generated by the first.

  • It's Victoria Day!

  • We Just Want to Live Here

    Amal Rifa'i and Odelia Ainbinder
    150 pages

    Reason for Reading:
    Triple 8 Challenge, Book Around the World, Expanding Horizons Challenge.

    Amal Rifa'i(a pseudonym used for her protection) and Odelia Ainbinder are teenagers who met through a student exchange program to Switzerland. Amal is Palestinian and Odelia is Israeli. Their first meeting wasn't great but through the mediation of a foreign correspondant, they were able to start a frank discussion about what it is like for each side in the conflict that rages in their homeland.

  • The Septembers of Shiraz - Dalia Sofer

    Dalia Sofer
    338 pages

    Reason for Reading: Expanding Horizons Challenge, Triple 8 Challenge, Book Around the World, and The Notable Books Challenge.

    On the Flap
    "In the aftermath of the Iranian revolution, rare-gem dealer Isaac Amin is arrested, wrongly accused of being a spy. Terrified by his disappear-ance, his family must reconcile a new world of cruelty and chaos with the collapse of everything they have known."

    My Thoughts:

  • Friend of the Devil - Peter Robinson

    Peter Robinson

    Advance Reading Copy

    372 pages

    I had never read anything by Peter Robinson before I snagged this ARC in the LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program. I am pleased to say that I have found another author that I enjoy reading.

  • Ill Wind

    Rachel Caine
    337 pages

    Reason for Reading: What's in a Name Challenge, TBR Challenge '08

    Back of the Book:
    "Joanne Baldwin is a Weather Warden. Usually, all it takes is a wave of her hand to tame the most violent weather. But now, she's trying to outrun another kind of storm: accusations of corruption and murder. So, she's resorting to the very human tactic of running for her life..."

    My Thoughts:
    I was looking for a book to get lost in this afternoon and this fit the bill perfectly. While it's actually a challenge book for me, it would have been great in the "Justforthehelluvit" category too.

    I loved the whole different twist on magical powers in this story. There are three types of Wardens: Earth, Fire and Weather. Each has it's particular benefits but they work best in conjunction with Djinn.

  • The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan

    Title: The Bonesetter's Daughter
    Author: Amy Tan
    ISBN: 0-8041-1498-6
    Publisher:Ballantine Books/2001
    Pages: 403

  • Some new Pub '08's

    But I don't think they will be counting toward my challenge.

  • The Sunday Salon-Competition

    I have several books competing for my attention lately. A look at my sidebar indicates that I currently have three books going and I am not close to finishing any of them. They are all very good. However, I have decided to feed my latest obsession and finding myself in a bookstore yesterday I purchased two other books that have been consuming my attention.

  • The Poet

    Michael Connelly
    Audiobook

    Jack McEvoy is a crime reporter for a Denver newspaper. He is good writer and a skilled investigator. However, the story hits too close to home when his twin brother, Sean apparently commits suicide. Jack refuses to believe it and begins to find evidence that supports his theory. What follows is a page-turning maze of twists and turns that kept me interested right through the ending.

    I really enjoyed listening to this book. Toward the middle of the book I started to suspect that it was going in a certain direction. I was really disappointed when it appeared that I was right. Later on though, the story takes a sharp turn that I didn't even suspect. I love when that happens! It makes me glad that I have more Connelly novels to look forward to. (4.5/5)

  • Somebody loves me!

    I got a belated Christmas/early Birthday gift from the UPS man...well actually, from my husband.

    I have wanted to own the series "Christy" since I first saw that it was on VHS but it was expensive and who wants VHS anymore? It was released to DVD in March but I only found out about it when I was thumbing through a Christmas catalog. I have read the book it was based on and I used to watch this show with my grandma, who passed away last month, so it holds special memories. I can't wait to watch it with my daughter, who has also read the book.

  • In the Mail Today:

    Michelle from 1 More Chapter was kind enough to add my name to a drawing that she was having for a book giveaway. I won Buying a Fishing Rod for My Grandfather. Since I am participating in the 2008 A-Z Challenge this year, I will use this book for my "X" author. Now, to find my "X" title.

    Thanks so much, Michelle!

  • Water for Elephants

    Sara Gruen

    Library Book

    335 pages

  • no title provided in feed

    Lori Copeland
    141 pages
    Read "Justforthehelluvit"

    Back of the Book:
    "It’s that time of year again, and with excitement and high expectations, Rose has planned the perfect Christmas for her family and friends. But when she feels them drifting away during a time that should celebrate togetherness, Rose is forced to slow down in the most unexpected way. In this whimsical, uplifting story, she discovers the true meaning of giving."

    My Thoughts:

  • Rises the Night

    Colleen Gleason
    334 pages
    On my Bookshelves

    This is my second title for the 2nds Challenge hosted by Thoughts of Joy

  • Till Morning is Nigh

    Leisha Kelly
    Library Book
    152 pages

    Back of the Book: "It is December of 1932, just one year after the Worthams and the Hammonds lost both a dear mother and a selfless friend in one terrible night. What would certainly be a bittersweet occasion turns to crisis when Goeroge Hammond disappears, leaving his many children worried and alone.
    Can Julia Wortham restore hope and joy to so may forlorn children? With too may mouths, too little money, and a mysterious illness taking hold of some the children, she has her doubts that God will pull them through.

  • Island of the Blue Dolphins

    Stars: *****

    This was read for the Book Awards Challenge, Read it Again Challenge and Newbery Project.

    I first read this in grade school and loved it. When I saw I needed to read it for the Newbery Project I decided to reread it and I'm glad I did. I remembered it almost exactly and I enjoyed it very much again. I love his writing and would like to try some more of his books to see if they are as well written.

  • Google images Meme

    I found this meme at Wendy's site and thought it looked fun.

    What is your favorite color?

    <---But not that particular shade!

  • People of the Book

    Geraldine Brooks
    368 pages

    Reason for Reading: Pub'08 Challenge, Interest.

    From the Publisher:

  • Dead Witch Walking- Kim Harrison

    Kim Harrison
    416 pages

    Reason for Reading: TBR Challenge'08

    Back of the Book:
    "All the creatures of the night gather in "the Hollows" of Cincinnati, to hide, to prowl, to party ... and to feed.

    Vampires rule the darkness in a predator-eat-predator world rife with dangers beyond imagining -- and it’s Rachel Morgan's job to keep that world civilized."

    My Thoughts:

  • The Boy Who Spoke Dog by Clay Morgan

    Stars: ****

    This book was read for the Four-Legged Friends challenge and the Fall Into Reading challenge. This book was read in November.

    This is a tween novel, ages 9 and up about a boy who is thrown overboard of a ship to save his life and is washed up on an island full of dogs. The dogs were left behind by the former islanders. The dogs have split into two groups, with the more wild dogs called Fangoes by the sheep dogs. However it's been a while since people were on the island and most of the dogs don't remember humans. The boy, Jack, is the first human they've seen and he doesn't fit what they have heard about humans.