Review: The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

From the author who's inspired millions worldwide with books like "Tuesdays with Morrie" and "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" comes his most imaginative novel yet, "The Time Keeper"--a compelling fable about the first man on earth to count the hours. The man who became Father Time.

In Mitch Albom's newest work of fiction, the inventor of the world's first clock is punished for trying to measure God's greatest gift. He is banished to a cave for centuries and forced to listen to the voices of all who come after him seeking more days, more years. Eventually, with his soul nearly broken, Father Time is granted his freedom, along with a magical hourglass and a mission: a chance to redeem himself by teaching two earthly people the true meaning of time.

He returns to our world--now dominated by the hour-counting he so innocently began--and commences a journey with two unlikely partners: one a teenage girl who is about to give up on life, the other a wealthy old businessman who wants to live forever. To save himself, he must save them both. And stop the world to do so.

Told in Albom's signature spare, evocative prose, this remarkably original tale will inspire readers everywhere to reconsider their own notions of time, how they spend it and how precious it truly is.
(Goodreads.com)
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Review
I've read and enjoyed Mitch Albom's past books. I find them unusual but charming and this one was no exception. While the theme is not unusual, about making the most of the time you have, the concept was unique. The three main characters and their journeys were extremely different - a man "sentenced" to be Father Time, a terminally ill, wealthy man and a lonely, teenage girl. Each of them longed for a different use of time and didn't appreciate all that had already been given to them. They weren't even very likable in the beginning but they each evolved into better people. Chapters alternated between characters until their lives intertwined. I wasn't sure how it would be done but the author was able to connect them all in an interesting way and tie up loose ends.

The chapters were short and a bit choppy but easy to read. With a storyline much like a fable, it delivered an emotional message about the value of the time. It was interesting to see if the characters, as well as the readers, learned their lessons. Fans of this author are likely to enjoy this book as well.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ebook to review.

Author
Publisher

Release date: 9/4/12
Publisher: Hyperion
Pages: 240 (ebook)
Type: Adult fiction

Review: Orignial Sin by Beth McMullen

 Wife. Mother. Spy.

On the surface, Lucy Hamilton looks just like all the other stay-at-home San Francisco moms. She takes her three-year-old son, Theo, to the beach, to the playground and to the zoo. She feeds him organic applesauce and free-range chicken. She folds laundry and plays on the floor with Matchbox cars until her knees ache. What no one knows about Lucy, not even her adoring husband, is that for nine years Lucy was Sally Sin, a spy for the United States Agency for Weapons of Mass Destruction. And that's just the way she wants to keep it - a secret. But when Lucy's nemesis Ian Blackford, a notorious illegal arms dealer, hits the USAWMD's radar, the Agency calls Sally Sin back to action to lure Blackford out into the open. Racing against time, Lucy must fight to save herself, her loving family - and, oh right - the world. Hilarious and resonant, ORIGINAL SIN is the story of one woman’s quest to find that most elusive work-life balance in the face of danger, intrigue, and proper recycling habits.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Review
  When I read the description it seemed to have all the elements I enjoy in a book  - interesting story, lots of action, good writing and a large dose of humor. Jackpot! And it's done well here, especially for a debut novel. Lucy Hamilton was Sally Sin in her former life. As if being a spy wasn't hard enough, but she gave it all up to start a family. (I've never been a spy but I would still bet my money that the mom thing is much harder. You definitely get less sleep!) but Lucy has done both, although she never wanted to combine them into one lifetime. Unfortunately that decision was made for her.

I was drawn in from the first page. Lucy is crawling around in her backyard looking for evidence of an intruder - paranoid mom? Old habits of a spy? She was making fun of herself as she was doing it so that endeared me to her right away. I thought all of the characters were quite interesting and a good combination of Lucy's past and present. The story unfolded nicely with plenty of action. I eagerly anticipated every little nugget of her life as a spy and how it all led to her now being a wife and mother. There were a few bumps in the road for me that didn't seem logical but the humor helped me to occasionally suspend disbelief. There was plenty of mystery at the end of this book but it sets up for the next one in the series. I will be waiting for it!
Book 2, See Sally Spy, coming May 29, 2012!

Thank you to Hyperion for sending me an arc to review.

Read the first chapter
www.bethmcmullen.com
www.hyperionbooks.com


Publisher: Hyperion
Release date: 7/12/11
Pages: 304
Price/format: $23.99/hardcover
Type: fiction, thriller, humor