Book Club: "The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes" Chapters 36-50

Wow, this book keeps getting better and better.  I really like Dru and that her and Cory are so different, yet they get along well.  Tip to mothers, do not leave notes to call people where your children will see them, especially when asking favors on your child's behalf.  I thought Eve calling the play director to ask her to include Corey somehow was perfectly normal for a mother to do.  It worked too.  Corey was included in the play with her sister and she was thrilled.  Unfortunately, she saw the reminder note and figured out her mother called and set it up.  Instead of being thankful Eve did that, she was embarrassed.  

Again, CeeCee should have been more honest with Cory when she asked about tracking down her relatives on her father's side.  It's fun to see a mature CeeCee as a mother but I still think she has no right to keep Cory in the dark about her biological father and let her father think his daughter was never born or is dead.  This to me is her biggest crime.

I thought for sure Eve would get to know Irving Russell better when he became President of the college where she worked and would let him know the truth finally, but she didn't.  At least she didn't get mixed up in another mess by answering the email she received about helping another fugitive.  Score 1 point for her there.  

It's pretty ironic how Cory chose to be involved with Ken, a charming, smooth talker 12 years older with the same pretty eyes Tim had.  I don't really like him too much because of the big age difference and I agree with Marian about not trusting a man who takes a girl from her family.  Something's up with that.  Eve had a funny line though when she said to herself, at least he's not a felon.  I liked the nuances between Eve and Ken.  That whole bottled water bit was funny too.  

Right about at that point, Tim Gleason gets arrested and charged with kidnapping and the murder of Genevieve Russell and her unborn child.  From here on, after every chapter I think "This is SO good!"  Eve is glued to the TV and is obsessed with watching the trial every day and the news to hear the latest updates.  She is scared that the police will be coming for her any day but so far her luck has held out.  Tim actually lied on the stand to protect her--what a nice guy.  

See what others think at Book Beginnings and Bookends.

"Duma Key" by Stephen King

Duma Key takes awhile to really get going, but once it does, watch out!!  It is about Edgar who gets in a terrible accident which causes him lose his right arm and scrambles his mind.  He is filled with rage and begins rehab and resumes painting, something that once have him pleasure.  It's about loyalty and compassion  Very interesting characters and a good story with paranormal activity.  I've read better by him, but well worth your time.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

"Just After Sunset" by Stephen King

Just After Sunset by Stephen King is a collection of short stories by the "Master of Short Stories."  Most of these are very good and I wished they were longer.  I found only a couple that I didn't get into; hence 4 instead of 5 stars.  Must read for all King fans!
(Gerard's review 2009)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

"Columbine" by Dave Cullen

A Definitive Book!
Forget what you think you know about Columbine.  You will get the true story and much, much more after you read this book.  Dave Cullen had to do a job of research!  Columbine is absolutely riveting which makes it hard to put down.  It goes way beyond just the day of the shooting.  You will learn not only about Eric and Dylan but also other people affected by it too.  The story is gruesome, the writing is superb!  Put this on your "To Read" list.  This story will stay with you long after you are finished reading it.  A lot of the stories of the people whose lives were impacted by the shooting are heartbreaking, gut wrenching and one is a story of triumph!  All makes for one powerful read!  I loved this book and highly recommend it--give it 50 stars!

(Gerard's review 5/21/09)

Columbine is a comprehensive account of the school shooting that is very informative, filled with research, but became tedious for me and depressing.  The author went in-depth revealing not only what happened that day but sharing findings that revealed the thinking of the shooters, and also the horror the victims and their families endured.  I learned a lot about psychopaths by reading this book.  Rumors and myths were exposed, including the story of Cassie Bernall being a martyr and that the shooters were loners and bullied. 

I feel so sad for the victims and their families.  It was a horrible thing to have happen and I felt sad for the shooters who wasted their lives and their parents who really had no clue what their sons were doing, feeling or how to help them.  If you want to find out what really happened and why, I recommend this book.
My husband read this book too and he liked it better than I did.
(Karen's Review 1/23/10) 

Here is a video about it by the author, David Cullen:


Comments we received transferred from our other blog:

I'm still planning to read the Wally Lamb book, too. There was no time while we were getting my book to press and doing the author tour. The tour was a lot of fun, but WAY more daunting than I imagined.

By Dave Cullen on May 21, 2009

Wow. I was ten minutes away when this shooting happened. Not sure I'm ready for such an honest look at something so traumatic yet, but I'm glad that the truth is out there. Columbine is becoming a legend...

By awaitingbloom on May 21, 2009

Thanks for that, Gerard. Very kind of you. (And it did take a lot of work, but it felt worth it.) d

By Dave Cullen on May 21, 2009

Have you read The Hour I First Believed? It makes me want to read the one you suggest.  It's about Columbine, fiction but meticulously researched and quotes from the boys web emails and diaries--fascinating, but the author of I know this much is true & of She's come undone. Wally Lamb, he's spectacular.

By writing on May 21, 2009

I love reading too, this book would interest me. Gattina http://gattinawritercramps.blogspot.com/

By Gattina on January 24, 2010

Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

Check out Reading, Reading & Life for a review of the audio book of Columbine.

"Bleachers" by John Grisham

Bleachers by John Grisham is a good book about a high school football coach’s impact on town and players. It was all about the coach but coach was never actually in the story—dying and the players came back to the town for the funeral and all talked about him with each other.  I liked it all right but not as much as his legal thrillers.
(Karen's review 12/03)

Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it?