Review: The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan








Goodreads description:

Gabry lives a quiet life, secure in her town next to the sea and behind the Barrier. She's content to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. Home is all she's ever known and, and all she needs for happiness.

But life after the Return is never safe and there are threats even the Barrier can't hold back.

Gabry's mother thought she left her secrets behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, but, like the dead in their world, secrets don't stay buried. And now, Gabry's world is crumbling.

One night beyond the Barrier . . .
One boy Gabry's known forever and one veiled in mystery . . .
One reckless moment, and half of Gabry's generation is dead, the other half imprisoned.

Now Gabry knows only one thing: if she has any hope of a future, she must face the forest of her mother's past. 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I wanted to love this book. I wanted it to be incredible. Unfortunately, in the end, I'm really torn with rating this book. I overlooked some of the flaws in the first novel, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, because it was a first novel and I thought there was so much that was compelling and unique. But many of the flaws of the first book were repeated in this one.

This book seemed like a repeat in many ways of the first novel. The same plot in many ways, the same use of a love triangle, the same type of inner dialogue from the main character. It just felt like Ryan re-wrote the first novel with new characters and situations. There wasn't a lot of NEW stuff here. Which is sad. Occasionally, new stuff would come up but then be left out there with no exploration. I just think it was sad and ultimately took away from the book.

All of this to say, I still enjoyed the novel. It kept my attention but I didn't LOVE it as I'd hoped. I felt like the love triangle in particular was really badly done and made me roll my eyes a few times.

To be fair, I love that Carrie Ryan has created a world of Zombies for GIRLS! That is very cool. Very unique! And it will probably have me reading the next book as well. I really want to love her books!!! I'm not giving up them yet!

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Review: The Ask & The Answer by Patrick Ness

The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness







 
Synopsis from Goodreads:
We were in the square, in the square where I'd run, holding her, carrying her, telling her to stay alive, stay alive till we got safe, till we got to Haven so I could save her - But there weren't no safety, no safety at all, there was just him and his men...Fleeing before a relentless army, Todd has carried a desperately wounded Viola right into the hands of their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss. Immediately separated from Viola and imprisoned, Todd is forced to learn the ways of the Mayor's new order. But what secrets are hiding just outside of town? And where is Viola? Is she even still alive? And who are the mysterious Answer? And then, one day, the bombs begin to explode..."The Ask and the Answer" is a tense, shocking and deeply moving novel of resistance under the most extreme pressure. This is the second title in the "Chaos Walking" trilogy.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I had high hopes for this book, the second in Patrick Ness' trilogy. Unfortunately, I didn't love it. It was fine but it wasn't outstanding. In many ways, it read like a completely different book than the first which I found distracting given that this is a trilogy. Beyond the characters and the world they inhabit, there were very few similarities between the first and this one.

This book is really just a description of a civil war between Mayor Prentiss's army and a resistance group called the Answer. There are a lot of 'issues' brought out in this description such as war ethics, torture, genocide, and identity. Although those issues are interesting, the plot itself was less than compelling and ultimately left me feeling ehhh. The plot has many holes which are never filled and just left there for you to look at and wonder about. There were once again a number of secrets to be figured out but they ultimately end up unsatisfying when revealed. I just did not buy a lot of this book. And that made it difficult to get through for me. I kept asking myself why I was reading this ... I didn't find anything truly interesting. I really only stuck with it in case it paid off in the end. But, honestly, it did not. Which is a shame. The premise of this trilogy is fantastic but this book did nothing to accentuate the premise for me.

To his credit, I will say that Ness does a great job at creating a sense of urgency with his pacing of the novel. His ability to create an atmosphere that keeps you on the edge of your seat is definitely incredible.

I think I will ultimately read the last book in the trilogy to see if Ness is able to bring it all together but if it were more than a trilogy, I think I'd be setting it aside for good. I'm willing to read another book in the series but I'm concerned it will not have a payoff in the end.

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Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein








Goodreads description:

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.

On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoë, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side.

A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life...as only a dog could tell it. 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was such an interesting book. I'd been hearing great things so I was excited when I saw it in a stack of books my boss handed me recently. I just LOVED the perspective of this book. As an animal lover, I completely fell for Enzo and loved to see his world through his eyes! What a cool way to read the story! It really made the book unique and interesting! It took a nice story to the next level.

I was worried about the racing content (since I'm not a racing fan) but I thought it was an interesting way for Garth Stein to connect life and racing. It was never boring to me. It added some character to the novel.

The story itself is not unique, per se, but I thought it was well done. And I enjoyed following the story to its conclusion and see it all come together. The emotional truth of the story was very well done and the pacing kept me intrigued from page one.

And, honestly, I'm not sure that I'll ever see dogs in quite the same way again!

I definitely recommend this book, particularly for animal lovers!

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Review: Jesusland by Julia Scheres

  











Jesusland by Julia Scheres


Description from Amazon.com - 
Journalist Scheeres offers a frank and compelling portrait of growing up as a white girl with two adopted black brothers in 1970s rural Indiana, and of her later stay with one of them at a Christian reform school in the Dominican Republic. The book takes its title from a homemade sign that Scheeres and the brother closest to her in age and temperament, David, spot one day on a road in the Hoosier countryside, proclaiming, "This here is: JESUS LAND." And while religion is omnipresent both at their school and in the home of their devout parents, the two rarely find themselves the beneficiaries of anything resembling Christian love. One of the elements that make Scheeres's book so successful is her distanced, uncritical tone in relaying deeply personal and clearly painful events from her life. She powerfully renders episodes like her attempted rape at the hands of three boys, the harsh beatings administered to David by her father and the ceaseless racial taunting by schoolmates; her lack of perceivable malice or vindictiveness prevents readers from feeling coerced into sympathy. The same can be said for Scheeres's description of their Dominican school, where humiliation and physical punishment are meant to redeem the allegedly misguided pupils. Tinged with sadness yet pervaded by a sense of triumph, Scheeres's book is a crisply written and earnest examination of the meaning of family and Christian values, and announces the author as a writer to watch. 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had absolutely no expectations when I grabbed this book off of my TBR pile. I love a good memoir but I had no idea what this one was about. I ultimately found it to be a really compelling memoir that really kept my attention and gave me a lot of food for thought. There is a lot of sadness, heartache and chaos in this book but it gave me an interesting perspective on fundamentalist Christianity. The relationship between Julia Scheres and her adopted brother was very compelling. She described this book as a tribute to him in many ways and I think she did a great job of telling her story as well as his story. I found the content disturbing and raw. I'm glad that I read it and that I was able to take that journey with Ms. Scheres and her brother. I wish that their earlier life had been less chaotic, less abusive and less ugly. I found the story to be tragic and uncomfortable at parts but I liked the writing style - unflinchingly honest. Very compelling read!

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Review: The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen






Goodreads synopsis: 
In her latest enchanting novel, New York Times bestselling author Sarah Addison Allen invites you to a quirky little Southern town with more magic than a full Carolina moon. Here two very different women discover how to find their place in the world…no matter how out of place they feel.

Emily Benedict came to Mullaby, North Carolina, hoping to solve at least some of the riddles surrounding her mother’s life. For instance, why did Dulcie Shelby leave her hometown so suddenly? Why did she vow never to return? But the moment Emily enters the house where her mother grew up and meets the grandfather she never knew—a reclusive, real-life gentle giant—she realizes that mysteries aren’t solved in Mullaby, they’re a way of life.

Here are rooms where the wallpaper changes to suit your mood. Unexplained lights skip across the yard at midnight. And a neighbor bakes hope in the form of cakes.
Everyone in Mullaby adores Julia Winterson’s cakes. She offers them to satisfy the town’s sweet tooth and in the hope of bringing back the love she fears she’s lost forever. In Julia, Emily may have found a link to her mother’s past. But why is everyone trying to discourage Emily’s growing relationship with the handsome and mysterious son of Mullaby’s most prominent family? Emily came to Mullaby to get answers, but all she’s found so far are more questions.

Is there really a ghost dancing in her backyard? Can a cake really bring back a lost love? In this town of lovable misfits, maybe the right answer is the one that just feels…different.


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yet another amazing read by Sarah Addison Allen! Once again, I didn't want to put the book down. I just love the feel of this author's books. As someone who is not a fan of magical realism, this author is the one exception for me. All of her books are wonderful. Although I loved The Sugar Queen the best, I can wholeheartedly recommend ANY of her novels. They are all fantastic. They are sweet, interesting, and magical. They are the kind of books you don't want to put down. Sarah Addison Allen has a way of building a world within her novels that you want to STAY in! And now I'm sitting and waiting for the next novel!!!

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Review: The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain

The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain







Note: Book will be published on May 25, 2010


Synopsis from Goodreads: 
 
Maya and Rebecca Ward are both accomplished physicians, but that's where the sisters' similarities end. As teenagers, they witnessed their parents' murder, but it was Rebecca who saved Maya from becoming another of the gunman's victims. The tragedy left Maya cautious and timid, settling for a sedate medical practice with her husband, Adam, while Rebecca became the risk taker.
After a devastating hurricane hits the coast of North Carolina, Rebecca and Adam urge Maya to join them in the relief effort. To please her husband, Maya finally agrees. She loses herself in the care and transport of victims, but when her helicopter crashes into raging floodwaters, there appear to be no survivors.

Forced to accept Maya is gone, Rebecca and Adam turn to one another—first for comfort, then in passion—unaware that, miles from civilization, Maya is injured and trapped with strangers she's not certain she can trust. Away from the sister who has always been there to save her, now Maya must find the courage to save herself—unaware that the life she knew has changed forever.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book, much more than I'd anticipated. It's difficult to categorize ... it has elements of chick-lit but it is so much more. Overall, this novel contains a very compelling story with really interesting characters. The pacing of the novel is excellent ... it has a steady, impactful pace. I didn't want to put it down because I HAD to know what was coming next. This is definitely a page turner! The story was told in alternating voices which is a interesting way for a story to unfold. It has a little bit of everything - great dialogue, excellent characterization, thoughtful themes, and a lot of action. All packed into one! I think Diane Chamberlain does a great job in packaging all of it together so well.

To be fair, some of it was fairly predictable and some of it was not. However, despite this very small flaw, I think the book was really good. It told an interesting story that gave me a lot to think about in terms of how the events of our lives shape us and change us. And also how much power we have to change our lives despite the events that shape us.

In the end, I recommend this one. It's a really good, solid book.

NOTE: I received the galley proofs of this title from Harlequin for review.

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Review: The Giant's House by Elizabeth McCracken

The Giant's House: A Romance by Elizabeth McCracken






Book synopsis from Goodreads:
An unlikely love story about a lonely spinster librarian and a younger man, forced into loneliness because of his monstrous size. Peggy Cort, the reclusive librarian in a small Cape Cod town falls for a boy 14 years her junior -- one who grows to be 8 feet 7 inches and 415 pounds. Though initially attracted out of sympathy, Peggy soon finds she has much in common with this sensitive, albeit enormous man. A romance ensues, but the unique connectedness they share -- something neither has ever felt before -- is cruelly interrupted by tragedy.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a little gem this book turned out to be! this is my first McCracken novel and I really enjoyed it. I see why her novels often get so much buzz. This was a really odd book with really odd characters who ultimately weaseled themselves into my heart!

The story was rather unique and refreshing but what I loved most was the writing. There were moments when I'd go back and read a passage several times because it was so eloquently written. The story is quirky and the characters are equally quirky. They are all flawed and strange and fascinating. I wasn't sure what to make of any of it at first but after awhile I was amazed at how attached I became to each character, flaws and all. That's one thing that I found really well done in this book - characters that were so well written - flaws and all - that they truly felt real to me. I never felt as if I was reading about fictional characters, if that makes sense.

It's a bit dark and not particularly uplifting but its an incredible character study. If you can get beyond the morose quality of the story itself, I think you''ll find characters that keep you captivated. I would not in any way call this novel a love story as the cover states. I think that can be misleading to potential readers. Although its a story about love and there are elements of a love story, it is in no way a traditional love story. It's bigger than that and ultimately more impactful (in my opinion). I really enjoyed this one and plan to seek out more of Elizabeth McCracken's work. I just love her way with words and her ability to create memorable characters.

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Review: Crazy by Han Nolan

Crazy by Han Nolan






** To be published September 13, 2010 by Harcourt Children's Books***

Overview from the publisher:

Fifteen-year-old Jason has fallen upon bad times-his mother has died and his father has succumbed to mental illness. As he tries to hold his crazy father and their crumbling home together, Jason relies on a host of imaginary friends for guidance as he stumbles along trying not to draw attention to his father's deteriorating condition. 

Both heartbreaking and funny, CRAZY lives up to the intense and compelling characters Han Nolan is praised for. As Jason himself teeters on the edge of insanity, Nolan uncovers the clever coping system he develops for himself and throws him a lifeline in the guise of friendship.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was immediately drawn to this book when I read the description online. You rarely hear about books that really delve into mental illness from a YA perspective. And this book really delivered. I enjoyed it immensely.

I love the writing style that Nolan employed for this novel. By utilizing the 'imaginary friends' who represent parts of the main character, Jason, the author gives us a full and integrated look at Jason's internal viewpoint. At first, I was worried this interplay between voices would be distracting but I ultimately found it to be charming and effective. It ultimately made the book all the more powerful for me.

One strength of this book was how it gave a holistic view to mental illness and its impact to family and community. The mentally ill are often typecast but this book really gives a full picture of mental illness and the impact it has. The book really gives light to the difficulties experienced by family members of those suffering from a mental illness in a humane and realistic way.

I really loved the underlying message of not trying to do it all by yourself. Its something that I think gives the book a great deal of power. Without being preachy, the author makes it clear that we need a community around us to face the good AND bad times. That you cannot always do it alone. That relying on others can save you and those you love. I think it was incorporated into the novel very well and sends a great message to all readers. I definitely recommend this for YA readers.

In the end, this book truly is a heartbreaking yet funny look at mental illness, family and friendship. I really enjoyed it and I think anyone interested in mental health issues would find this a good, solid read.

(Attention: I received the galley proofs of this title from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for review.)


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Review: Cat Cora's Classics with a Twist: Fresh Takes on Favorite Dishes by Cat Cora

Cat Cora's Classics with a Twist: Fresh Takes on Favorite Dishes by Cat Cora

Description from the publisher:
***To be published June 2, 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt***
On the wildly popular show Iron Chef America, Cat Cora uses her instincts to transform random ingredients into exciting creations on a moment’s notice. In this book, she turns her eye to some of our most popular dishes to make them faster, fresher, and lighter. These are the swift meals that Cat relies on when she comes home from work to cook for her own family: Greek-Style Nachos, Grilled Chili-Lime Flank Steak Soft Tacos, Crispy Baked Fish Stix with Mustard Dipping Sauce, Quick Chicken Curry with Peas, and Sour-Cherry-Filled Chocolate Cupcakes. In dishes like Baked “Fried” Calamari with Marinara Dipping Sauce and Tex-Mex Tuna Casserole, Cat puts a new spin on old favorites. She updates others, tossing chipotle-spiced croutons into a Caesar salad, or replacing the usual beef in stroganoff with chicken and adding fresh tarragon. Each recipe illustrates Cat’s motto: just because a dish is a classic doesn’t mean it can’t be improved upon.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love cookbooks and could spend hours in the cookbook aisle of the bookstore. This particular cookbook is fine, not an all time favorite but it has some interesting aspects that I really liked.

I found the food to be less family friendly than I'd hoped given that Cat Cora talks quite a bit in the introduction about her family and putting a new take on favorites. As I was reading through the recipes, however, I was worried because I was finding very little that I think my family would eat. It looked great for ME but not so much for the entire family. Perhaps my family is not as open minded as some ...

The photographs in this cookbook are beautiful. I loved the richness of the photographs. I just wish that every recipe was shown in a photo. I love love love it when cookbooks show a photo of every dish. This one does NOT.

There are a lot of great little tips, tricks and explanations throughout the cookbook which I found interesting and a great add-on to the cookbook. The cookbook also has a nice little resource section which I found helpful.

I love the idea of taking more classic dishes and making them new and different by adding a twist. Cat Cora does this very well here. If I were primarily cooking for dinner parties or adults, I would have felt much more positive about this particular cookbook. I just doubt that I will find a lot of uses here when cooking for my family as a whole. Particularly my young children who are less than adventurous when it comes to food. The idea is wonderful, but the execution will be difficult for me and my family. In fact, I had a hard time finding any recipes that I actually thought I could make for the family. There wasn't much here for family cooking. However, I did find quite a few recipes that would be great for dinner parties or dinners for my husband. I'll keep those in my arsenal but I won't be using this cookbook for my day-to-day family cooking.

My favorite section (for family cooking in particular) was the dessert section. The peanut butter/chocolate chip cookies (Peanutter Cookies) she provides a recipe for look mouthwatering. Definitely one I'll be trying!

In the end, I think this is a nice cookbook but I don't think its really practical for everyday cooking for small children. however, if you do a lot of dinner parties or adult oriented cooking, this is an excellent resource with a lot of different and unique recipes!

NOTE: I received a galley proof of this book from the publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, for review.

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Beside a Burning Sea by John Shors

Beside a Burning Sea by John Shors


My rating: 4 of 5 stars




 Goodreads overview:
From "a master storyteller" and author of Beneath a Marble Sky comes a new novel that follows a man and a woman from separate worlds, as the barbarity of war looms in the distance.

One moment, the World War II hospital ship Benevolence was cruising through the Pacific. In the next, she was engulfed in chaos, split in two by a torpedo.

A small group of survivors makes it to the deserted shore of a nearby island, including a wounded Japanese soldier who saved a young nurse from death. Akira has spent five years engulfed in blood and horror. Now, surrounded by those he is supposed to hate, he instead finds solace in their company. Sharing the mystery and beauty of his favorite poems with the beautiful American woman he has rescued, he watches as the others confront their own passions and demons. Meanwhile, a secret held by one of the castaways may determine whether any of them will ever see their homelands again.

My review:

I really enjoyed this book quite a bit. It was a really nice, enjoyable read. I love the idea of haikus to begin each chapter - that was such an effective way to lead into each chapter. I would look forward to seeing what the next haiku would be! The characters were interesting (some more than others but I'll get to that in a moment). The sense of place was great - at times I felt I was on that island with them. The writing was fine - nothing brillant but it was solid.

Ultimately, I think the structure of the story was a bit weak. My biggest complaint about the novel was that, at times, the circumstances in the book seemed a bit too romantic than you would expect given what was happening. The adjustment to the island seemed entirely too easy - abundant food, fairly easy shelter, etc. There wasn't much hardship given their circumstances. That bothered me a bit but not enough to stop reading. I just stayed focused on the characters and their overall journey and tried to suspend some of my disbelief about the accuracy of what they experienced.

I love that there were several strong women characters which I think can, at times, be overlooked in fiction about this time in history. Some of the characters were really relate-able for me but others were more difficult for me to 'get.' I really liked Akira, Annie, Ratu & Jake. Those relationships really came alive for me which I think contributed to my relating to them and caring about them. Joshua and Isabelle were so stiff and uninteresting to me. I kept waiting for some warmth but I just never felt it. I'd get moments of warmth with Isabelle during her interaction with Annie but otherwise I didn't get a lot of feeling from her. Other 'side' characters were interesting but their stories never really went anywhere interesting which was a shame. Now, Roger, on the other hand, was an interesting character. What a sociopath! I found him a bit over the top (at times I wanted to scream - YES! He's bad! We know it! Give us something NEW!). And some of his story came off as disjointed - some of his actions just didn't go with his character, in my opinion. But, he definitely served his purpose in the book!

Overall, I enjoyed the story but there were definitely flaws throughout. I found them easy to overlook because I found the concept of the book so interesting and some of the characters so compelling. This is one I'd definitely recommend (although I'd mention that there are flaws).

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Review: The Clearing by Heather Davis

The Clearing by Heather Davis


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Overview of Book (from Goodreads):

Amy, a sixteen-year-old recovering from an abusive relationship, moves to the country to start a new life with her aunt–all she wants is for everything to be different. In the clearing at the back of Aunt Mae’s property, she makes an amazing discovery—Henry, a boy stuck in the endless summer of 1944. Henry and his world become Amy’s refuge and she begins to learn that some moments are worth savoring. But when the past and present come crashing together, both of them must find the courage to face what is meant to be, even if it means losing each other forever.

My review:

I was really interested in reading this book because it sounded like something very interesting and unique given the fact that there is so much vampire/werewolf type YA out there right now. I was interested in reading a different kind of YA - something a bit more traditional but still unique enough to make it stand out. And, ultimately, I think that this novel delivered that! I really enjoyed every moment of the novel.

First and foremost, I thought it was very well written. When you take a book that has elements that are a bit outside of the norm, it can be easy to verge into the unrealistic and weird. Heather Davis did an excellent job of keeping the book feeling both based in reality and feeling otherworldly. It was a really interesting combination for me as a reader. I loved the sense of time and place that Davis created in this novel. I think she also did a great job with the pacing of the novel ... particularly since the novel essentially takes place in two different time periods. It never felt choppy to me. Not once. The interweaving of the two time periods was an effective plot tool.

One of the things I loved most in the book was the characters. I really enjoyed taking this journey with Amy. I thought she was complex and her circumstances written very realistically. It would have been easy for Davis to overwrite this particular character but she didn't. In the end, I felt that Amy was very sensible and her decisions/thoughts made perfect sense to me in the larger context. Another character that I just adored was Mae. She was an outstanding character ... one of those that I wish I could pull into my own life. I'd love to have had a great-aunt like Mae! Their relationship was so well written and really gave the novel texture and emotional interest. Henry was such an interesting character to me - very traditional, old-fashioned, and just plain NICE. All that you'd expect from a farm boy raised in the 1940s. The interactions between him and Amy came alive to me as I read.

I think this book was a great story in and of itself. However, it was also so much more. It said a lot about relationships, love, self-respect, and individuality. I felt that it ultimately sent a really good message but wasn't in any way preachy. I do, however, wish that the 'relationship violence' component of the book had been fleshed out a bit more. It was merely adequate when it could have been a great way to explore it more deeply.

I thought the romance aspect of the novel was well done. The relationship between Amy and Henry was very compelling and quite engaging. It wasn't overdone or underdone ... it was executed perfectly, in my opinion. It made sense to me. It felt real to me.

At first, I wasn't sure what I thought about the ending (which I'm not going to spoil for you!!!) but after thinking about it, I think it was very satisfying. I felt it brought the story where it needed to go.

Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book and found it to be quite unique and compelling. I would recommend it to those interested in a nice YA love story with a bit of a twist.

(Disclaimer: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt provided me with the galley proofs of this book for review.)

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Review: The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow

The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow


My rating: 4 of 5 stars





Goodreads overview of book:

This debut novel tells the story of Rachel, the daughter of a Danish mother and a black G.I. who becomes the sole survivor of a family tragedy. With her strict African American grandmother as her new guardian, Rachel moves to a mostly black community, where her light brown skin, blue eyes, and beauty bring mixed attention her way. Growing up in the 1980s, she learns to swallow her overwhelming grief and confronts her identity as a biracial young woman in a world that wants to see her as either black or white. In the tradition of Jamaica Kincaid's Annie John and Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, here is a portrait of a young girl - and society's ideas of race, class, and beauty. 


Although I've been hearing a lot of buzz about this book, I intentionally avoided reading any reviews before picking it up myself. This novel was winner of Barbara Kingsolver's Bellwether Prize for Fiction, awarded for serious literary fiction that addresses issues of social justice and the impact of culture and politics on human relationships. And, kin my opinion, this book is a well deserved winner of that prize. In fact, this is a really special little book that I really enjoyed reading. It had everything that a good, compelling book should offer to a reader.

First of all, Heidi Durrow does an excellent job in the writing of the novel. The prose is sparse and pointed which really adds to the overall feel of the novel. In addition, the chapters and their alternating voices were an excellent way to unfold the story. The unfolding of the story is a critical part of why I enjoyed it so much. Durrow kept me intrigued by slowly giving me bits of interesting information but not truly tying it all together until the end of the novel. As I spent more and more time with each of the characters, I was amazed at how well she gave each of them life and made them jump off of the page.

However, beyond all of that, what is really special about this book is the underlying social issues that it addresses through the story. By interweaving the character's experiences of race and gender with the story, Durrow was able to highlight those issues very effectively without EVER coming off as preachy. The themes of racial identity and gender identity were really fascinating to me and gave me a great deal to think about. It made me look a bit deeper into the ways we view and approach race and gender in our every day lives. I felt that Durrow's novel gives the reader an opportunity to view a variety of viewpoints and perspectives on racial and gender identity in a fresh way. In the end, I feel that Durrow did an excellent job at creating a novel gives the reader a really good modern coming of age story while also providing the reader with relevant social commentary on issues that deserve more attention.

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Review: Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen


My rating: 5 of 5 stars





I'm falling fast in love with Sarah Addison Allen's novels! I love the way she intertwines magic into the everyday in a way that is believable and interesting. I loved all of the characters in this novel - including the tree! I love the way the journey's of each of the sisters were brought together and weaved into a beautiful story about family, friendship, and growing up. I love how Allen took some pretty intense themes but made them feel important but not depressing. She really has a gift for telling stories and creating very interesting and compelling characters. Allen truly exceeds at creating an atmosphere with every single word that she puts on the page ... an atmosphere that makes you feel as if you've fallen into another world.

I loved the character of Evanelle and I loved her gift for giving people exactly what they need. I love that Allen does such a fantastic job of creating an entire group of characters that you can't wait to read more about. It's almost like a lovely, small town in a book.

I definitely recommend this book and think that its a nice, easy, and enchanting read!

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Review: A Dangerous Woman by Mary McGarry Morris

A Dangerous Woman by Mary McGarry Morris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars




Although I can completely understand why some felt this book was not their cup of tea, I really love Mary McGarry Morris' novels and this is no exception. I think she is one of the most underrated novelists in part because she does her job so well as she tends to focus on the different, the uncomfortable and the painful. And, she does it exceptionally well here with the story of Martha. This character is so interesting to me - fascinating really. We never really find out for 'sure' what Martha is in terms of a diagnosis. We know she's 'off' but not what really causes her very odd and uncomfortable demeanor. I found the character to be so compelling while at the same time so difficult to read about. It gave me a great deal to think about in terms of how I (and society) treats those who are different. How we make assumptions. How we make judgments. I felt that the author's writing of her story really made me feel what it must be like to be Martha as well as what it must be like to be around her. At times, I felt as if I were THERE, watching it all unfold in front of me. I found the story to be heartbreaking overall. The story is dark and there isn't necessarily a light at the end of the dark tunnel. But, in the end, I think that was appropriate. I think a 'happy ending' would have been contrite and missed the entire point of the story. I really enjoyed this book and plan to seek out other books by this author that I haven't yet read.

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Review: Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
My rating: 5 stars!

Wow ... I savored every word of this novel. Amazing. The writing was magnificent. The characters were so compelling. I didn't want to stop reading. And, I was sad when it was over. Olive is such a fascinating (and often unlikeable) woman and yet I really felt her throughout the book. I thought she was so well written and multi-layered. Very real. Her voice in the book would occasionally take my breath away - with her heartbreaking honesty. The interconnected stories were wonderful. I was concern...more Wow ... I savored every word of this novel. Amazing. The writing was magnificent. The characters were so compelling. I didn't want to stop reading. And, I was sad when it was over. Olive is such a fascinating (and often unlikeable) woman and yet I really felt her throughout the book. I thought she was so well written and multi-layered. Very real. Her voice in the book would occasionally take my breath away - with her heartbreaking honesty. The interconnected stories were wonderful. I was concerned I wouldn't like that format but I really did. The book is subtle and breathtaking. I definitely recommend this one! An unforgettable book!

Review: The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan

The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan
My rating: 4 stars

I saw the movie based on this book when it was released so I was curious to see how it held up against the book.

I enjoyed the book quite a bit. I think its an excellent way to get young people acquainted with mythology. It had a nice blend of action and non-action and the characters were interesting. I really like the premise of the series and think its rather interesting and unique. I can see why so many people love the series and I'll be continuing to read the series. I like the c...more I saw the movie based on this book when it was released so I was curious to see how it held up against the book.

I enjoyed the book quite a bit. I think its an excellent way to get young people acquainted with mythology. It had a nice blend of action and non-action and the characters were interesting. I really like the premise of the series and think its rather interesting and unique. I can see why so many people love the series and I'll be continuing to read the series. I like the character of Percy but I hope he becomes more fleshed out as the series continues. I really liked the Annabelle character - I'm a sucker for a good strong female character.

As far as the movie and book go, they are very different and yet very much the same. Which doesn't make sense until you see the movie AND read the book. They changed a lot from the book for the movie. They left some significant things out and made fairly large changes overall. I liked both, for the most part. But, I can totally understand now why some fans of the series were not happy with the movie.

All in all, I liked the book and look forward to reading more from the series.

Review: The Friend Who Got Away by Jenny Offill, Elissa Schappell

The Friend Who Got Away by Jenny Offill, Elissa Schappell
My rating: 3 stars


Although I didn't love all the stories in this book of essays, there were a few that really spoke to me. That reminded me of my own 'friends who got away' ... that made me sad, frustrated and nostalgic all at once! Friendships are complicated and I think almost everyone has experienced letting go of a friendship or being let go of ... it's pretty universal. As a result, it was really quite interesting to read about the experiences of other women ... their feelings, their motivations, as well as ...more Although I didn't love all the stories in this book of essays, there were a few that really spoke to me. That reminded me of my own 'friends who got away' ... that made me sad, frustrated and nostalgic all at once! Friendships are complicated and I think almost everyone has experienced letting go of a friendship or being let go of ... it's pretty universal. As a result, it was really quite interesting to read about the experiences of other women ... their feelings, their motivations, as well as their justifications. Overall, I'm glad that I read this collection of essays but it wasn't a personal favorite.

Review: The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee

The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
*** NOTE: Listened to the audiobook ***



I'd read a number of reviews about this novel and had found them to be rather mixed. However, I listened to an interview with the author and decided that the premise sounded really interesting so I picked up the audiobook.

I really enjoyed the story overall. I felt that the author did a great job using her writing style to set the time and place for me. Although the characters were not all particularly appealing, I was compelled to continue reading about them and their journey. The writing was beautiful and I think Lee's ability to bring the place and time to life with her descriptions is outstanding. In addition, she made each and every one of the many characters just come to life on the page for me. Good, bad and ugly - they all came alive with complexity and vulnerability. Even the most unlikeable characters came alive for me.

There were some flaws but I felt that they were minor and didn't take away from the story overall. I enjoyed the novel and look forward to seeing what Lee has in store as she grows as a writer!

In terms of the audio book, I thought it was quite well done! I really liked the narrator and thought she did a great job, particularly in helping me distinguish between the many characters of the novel.

I definitely recommend this book!

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Review: The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen


My rating: 5 of 5 stars





I'm not typically a fan of 'magic' in stories - most magical realism type books are NOT a good fit for me. So, I was a bit anxious about reading this one as it has a magical quality. And, boy, was I surprised! I was VERY taken with this book. It was such a nice, entertaining book! I really loved the characters ... Josey resonated with me for a number of reasons and I loved her adoration of sweets/candy while Chloe & her books were fascinating to me! I love the idea of books you need finding you! Heaven! The characters were very interesting and kept pulling at my heart as the book continues. The characters journeys were wonderful to read!

I loved the story, it was enchanting and magical. It was a book that I wanted to sit and read all day! I simply didn't want to put it down. So sweet and endearing but not at all saccharine.

I figured out the 'twist' early on but I don't think that it kept me from enjoying the book AT ALL. I loved every moment in the world of The Sugar Queen. I immediately put Garden Spells on hold at the library and I can't wait to dive into another Sarah Addison Allen novel! I'm excited to have found an author who does 'magical' in a way that resonates with me!

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Review: The Likeness by Tana French

The Likeness by Tana French
My rating: 5 stars

I really enjoyed Tana French's first novel, In The Woods, but this sequel blew that one out the park! This is a sequel but you don't have to read In the Woods to enjoy this one. This is a very self-contained novel that certainly stands on its own.

So, what did I like? 1. It's really well written. French has a writing style that is difficult for me to describe but I adore it and feel like it captures exactly what I want from a book - to FEEL something from the narrative. Which she does...more I really enjoyed Tana French's first novel, In The Woods, but this sequel blew that one out the park! This is a sequel but you don't have to read In the Woods to enjoy this one. This is a very self-contained novel that certainly stands on its own.

So, what did I like? 1. It's really well written. French has a writing style that is difficult for me to describe but I adore it and feel like it captures exactly what I want from a book - to FEEL something from the narrative. Which she does so well. 2. The mystery/suspense in the book is fantastic. I felt pulled into the narrative, felt impacted by the action. It was simply fantastic! 3. The characters were fantastic. Compelling, interesting and believable. Flawed, complicated and not always likeable. But fantastic! 4. Despite the fact that the premise sounded a bit unbelievable, French pulls it off magnificently! Even as I was reading, I was surprised how well she pulled it off! 5. It's a perfect mix of well written prose & the mystery/suspense genre!

This is a novel that I definitely recommend!

Review: Beatrice and Virgil: A Novel by Yann Martel

Beatrice and Virgil: A Novel by Yann Martel


My rating: 5 of 5 stars





Let me start with the fact that I loved Life of Pi and I find Yann Martel's unique writing style to be very interesting. I enjoy the fact that he often leaves things open to interpretation and makes me think. But, I also understand that many do not like this aspect of Martel's writing. They prefer novels that are a bit more clean and resolved.

I'd heard very different things about this new novel, Beatrice and Virgil. Many people that I know and respect, loved it and others that I know and respect hated it. It appeared to be impacting people in very different ways. I did not read any reviews because I really wanted to experience the novel for myself and make my own determination.

In the end, I was quite taken with this little novel. It was like nothing I've ever read before. It was dark and twisted. It quite frankly took me on a journey, a journey that I will not forget.

The novel is ultimately about the Holocaust but Martel doesn't tackle this head on. He uses a number of literary devices to tell the story. I really found that this made the impact of the novel all the more interesting. As it was a completely new way to experience something that I've read a hundred books on and seen movies about, it's almost as if it awakened and deepened my understanding of the enormity of the tragedies of the Holocaust. It made me feel something new about a subject that I felt I was already quite aware of and impacted by. That was ultimately why I loved this book. It gave me a new perspective on something that I was already aware of and felt that I understood fairly well. After hearing about the atrocities of the Holocaust over and over in so many different forms throughout the years, it is as if I'd become numb in some way to the horror of it. This book took me to a different place about the same events and made me feel something/think about something in an entirely new way. In my mind, that is what makes this novel brilliant. That is why it stuck out to me so much. That is why I continue to be quite taken with Martel and his ability to make me see things in a new and different way.

I thought that the writing was wonderful and that there were moments of pure genius in the prose. The dialogue between Beatrice and Virgil was fabulous - imaginative and whimsical without being trite. And the dialogue between Henry and the taxidermist was what really blew me away. It's what ultimately hooked me into the story. I felt as if all of the sections between Henry and the taxidermist just sucked me in and made me more and more uncomfortable as the novel moved forward.

I feel that Martel did an excellent job of making the entire novel subtle and mysterious, leading me right into the 'twisted' ending. Which didn't bother me nearly as much as it had bothered a lot of other readers. I felt it all came together exactly as it should have. I wasn't surprised by the ending. Perplexed, maybe. Thoughtful, definitely. But, I wasn't angry, upset. Nor did I feel betrayed in any way (which I've read some readers have been).

In the end, I love how Martel made me think in a new way about something we've all heard about/read about over and over. Personally, I found that to be very impactful. I finished this book. Sat it down. And just sat and thought. I couldn't get the story out of my mind. I was amazed at how effectively Martel pulled it all together over the course of the novel. I was amazed at what Martel compelled me to think about. I was perplexed that so many others didn't LOVE this novel. (That still bothers me. I'm just not sure why my experience of the book was SO different from so many others).

I recently read a review of this book that really summed up my feelings about the novel and why I think it works so I thought I'd add it here.

"What Martel has done with Beatrice and Virgil is give readers a multi-layered and highly textured read that at first seems somewhat obtuse and disjointed. For audiences used to being spoon-fed information in comfortable, digestible servings it might appear there are large gaps in the narrative. However, what he has done is both gradually build a picture of the obsessive nature of the artist in his character of Henry and find a new way of telling the story of the Holocaust. While the play within the novel is the obvious parallel, with its depiction of innocents being persecuted for no reason save their differences, as we follow the trajectory of Henry's obsession with both the play and the taxidermist it feels like we are watching the ease with which we can become complicit in horrific events. For although all the clues are right in front of him, Henry fails to see the obvious with almost fatal consequences." - Richard Marcus, BLOGCRITICS.ORG

I understand why some are not fans of this novel but, for me, it was everything that I want in a good book - thought-provoking, interesting, and readable. It is the kind of book that will stick with me for some time.

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Review: Abide with Me by Elizabeth Strout

Abide with Me by Elizabeth Strout
My rating: 3 stars

I felt this book was uneven. It took me a long time to get into it ... the only reason that I kept going was that the writing was really good. The writing style was less compelling for me but I liked the actual writing itself. It was, at times, extremely elegant and beautiful.

By the time I got to a point that I began to really enjoy the book, it was over. Thinking back, I think I was a bit off put by the 'voice' of the main character during the first half of the book. It was very much focused on his inner thoughts. I preferred the later sections of the book where he began to interact more with the other characters. It seemed more real to me. I think that the book seemed to 'come alive' in the later parts ... when Strout was able to bring the book to a resolution and really crystallize the intent of the book as a whole. I understand what Strout was probably trying to do with the first part of the novel and the style she chose to write it but I felt it was ineffective as a whole. The primary themes of the novel were compelling - isolation, boundaries, the impact of judgment and grief. There is a lot of good in this novel but, in the end, I wish that the first half had been more compelling.

Review: Little Bee by Chris Cleave

Little Bee by Chris Cleave
My rating: 5 STARS!!!!!

I'd been desperate to read this book since I first read about it and it absolutely delivered for me! It was a fantastic reading experience. First and foremost - can that cover be any more WONDERFUL! I love how Cleave is able to address some pretty heavy issues in a way that is very readable and approachable. Although I preferred the sections from Little Bee's point of view, I was really taken with the entire novel. I felt it was extremely well written and Cleave was able to get me to truly care ...more I'd been desperate to read this book since I first read about it and it absolutely delivered for me! It was a fantastic reading experience. First and foremost - can that cover be any more WONDERFUL! I love how Cleave is able to address some pretty heavy issues in a way that is very readable and approachable. Although I preferred the sections from Little Bee's point of view, I was really taken with the entire novel. I felt it was extremely well written and Cleave was able to get me to truly care for Little Bee and feel invested in the events of the novel in a way that I did not expect. There is so much 'good stuff' here that I have to recommend it - the themes are very thought provoking and compelling. The writing is great. The characters are fascinating (to me). And, it was one of those books that I didn't want to put down. And, I was sad to see the book end. Little Bee will live on for me for a long time.

Review: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese


My rating: 5 of 5 stars




Every once in awhile I read a book that literally sweeps me up and takes me away to another world. A book that I don't want to put down. That I wish would never end. That takes my breath away. That makes me feel something beyond my own experience. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE BOOKS.

This is a book that I find difficult to describe adequately but I'm going to try. It's amazing. It's epic. It's ridiculously readable. It's one of the most beautifully written novels I've ever read. The characters come alive as you read. The places feel as if you are there, walking the same streets, seeing the same sights. I truly felt as if I'd been on a journey while reading this novel. The pacing of the story contributes to this. The beautiful writing makes it a story that you don't want to ever see end.

Looking back, I'm even more amazed at how Verghese made this novel come together so effortlessly. It's awe inspiring really. The scope of this story, the characters and their journeys are all so well done that I am amazed that he pulled it off. That it is ultimately so beautiful. That it is ultimately so impactful. I don't think I'll be able to let go of these characters for some time. In my mind, they've come alive and I feel compelled to think of them often.

I really cannot recommend this novel enough. It's interesting, it's well written, it's awe-inspiring and it's just breathtaking! Don't let its size make you hesitate, those pages will whirl by so quickly that you'll wish it were 500 pages longer!

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Review: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson


My rating: 5 of 5 stars





This was an incredibly powerful little book. As someone who spent six years counseling victims of sexual assault, I found this book to be very realistic and honest. I think that Laurie Halse Anderson did an incredible job at capturing Melinda's voice and portraying her in a realistic and compelling way. I feel that the authenticity of this novel takes it from a good novel to a great one. It really made me feel Melinda's every experience - from the rape, to the repurcussions to her journey ... it was so honest and unflinching. I thought that this was a raw look at teh physical, emotional and social experience that could follow such a trauma. I saw this sort of experience play itself out in many of the teenagers and women that I worked with during my time providing crisis counseling. I think this book is great for all teens and adults. Men or women. I think it tells a powerful story that everyone can relate to and find understanding in.

As an aside, the cover is AMAZING! I think it may be one of my all-time favorite covers. It's perfect for this novel!

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