(Image from Amazon)

"If there's anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of democracy, tonight is your answer."

- Barack Obama; November 4, 2008

There's a reason you don't see many political books reviewed on this site: Talk of checks and balances, electoral votes, Senate subcommittees and such just makes my eyes glaze over. I've tried to make myself less apathetic, less ignorant, but ... politics just isn't my thing. Even the recent presidential election failed to excite me. My inner cynic said the American public would never elect a Mormon (Romney), a woman (Clinton) or a non-white (Obama). Thus, I figured McCain was a shoo-in. Imagine my shock when Barack Obama emerged victorious. Although I don't agree with many of the president's views, his election seems to signal change, progress and hopefully, a step forward in the fight against racism. Whatever else he is, Obama is a fascinating man. So, when the ladies at MotherTalk offered me a chance to review Obama: The Historic Journey (Text is by Jill Abramson, managing editor of The New York Times), I eagerly accepted. I was especially thrilled to find that it's a Young Reader's Edition, perfect for a political ignoramus like me.

The book gives a quick overview of Obama's life, with several chapters on his unconventional childhood and his student years at Harvard Law School, but focuses mostly on his road to the presidency. Obama was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961. His father was a black man from Kenya, his mother a free-spirited white woman. Their marriage was unusual, especially in the early 1960s, and didn't last long. After their divorce, Obama's mother married an Indonesian man, prompting a move to Jakarta, where the family lived until 1971. Back in Hawaii, he attended school while his mother returned to Indonesia to pursue her own studies. With his father and stepfather absent, and his mother abroad, Obama was raised by his beloved grandmother. After high school, he attended Harvard, worked as a lawyer, professor, and became a senator. He met and married Michelle, had two daughters, and began campaigning for president. In November of 2008, he became the 44th President of The United States, the first bi-racial person ever to hold that office.

Barack Obama's journey is documented in this book with glossy photographs, timelines, even a FAQs type page that lists his favorite foods, movies, music, etc. His favorite books are listed as Moby Dick by Herman Melville, Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison. The writing is a bit choppy, especially when describing Obama's early years, but it's also straightforward and readable. There are a few editing issues - my copy had 2 pages transposed - but overall, it offers a fair, balanced look at a fascinating man in an easy-to-read format. It even offers quick sidebars to explain terms like "caucus," "primary," and "delegate" - just in case politics isn't your thing, either.

Grade: B-

This is the conundrum Piper faces in Karen White's new novel, The Lost Hours. The protagonist, a woman haunted by a serious equestrian accident, eagerly ignores her own rehabilitation to focus on the mysteries of her family's past. She knows the answers lie somewhere in her grandmother's childhood, but attempts to question the elderly woman only agitate her. So, Piper turns to her grandmother's old friend, Lillian Harrington-Ross, who shows no desire to re-visit the past. Clearly, the family mystery goes even deeper than Piper first believed. Determined to shake out Lillian's secrets - and thus her grandmother's - Piper infiltrates the old woman's ranch, posing as a renter. Although the idea of being anywhere near a horse scares Piper to death, she knows she can't leave Asphodel Meadows without the answers for which she has come.

As Piper attempts to draw Lillian out, she becomes enmeshed in the household, lured by the matriarch's wise granddaughter; her lively great-grandchildren; and their grief-stricken father. Each, including Piper herself, hides his/her own secrets. But it's Lillian's secrets in which Piper is most interested. Lillian, herself, prefers the past to remain where it belongs - in the past - but something about her mysterious boarder stirs up old memories, memories that refuse to leave her be. The truth about what happened all those years ago will be found, but at what cost? Will Piper's search destroy not one, but two elderly women? Will it bring her closer to the grandmother whom she never really knew? Will her tenacious search for truth finally allow her to heal - or will knowledge of past horrors rip her heart wide open? Piper's journey into her family's past will change her indelibly - will it be worth it?

Books about family secrets always appeal to the voyeur in me. This one tends toward the predictable. It's also a bit far-fetched - I kept wondering how a horse family like Lillian's could not figure out Piper's real identity - but I still found it compelling. The characters are believable, the setting seductive, the mystery intriguing. Although Lillian's truths won't surprise you, White's writing just might - it's poignant, atmospheric and appropriately moody. Her prose gets clunky in places, but overall, it's lovely. Despite some predictable plotting, The Lost Hours provides a very decent read. Although it's a little dark, it ends on a hopeful note, making it a perfect book to enjoy during the gentle days of summer.

Grade: B

P.S. Karen has generously supplied me with 2 copies of The Lost Hours to give away. If you're interested in entering, please leave a comment on this post. The names of two winners will be drawn on June 19 (hubby's birthday). Good luck!