Review: The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli

The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was nothing like I had expected ... I'm not sure what I felt I was getting into but it certainly wasn't what I found in this book. This is a very good book. It's a very well written novel that put me directly into the shoes of a photojournalist during the Vietnam War. At moments, I felt as if I were walking through the streets and experiencing things myself. Tatjana Soli made the setting of the novel come alive. She has a gift for descriptive language. The way that she weaves the horrors of the war with the love story is simply fantastic! It felt real and natural. She brings this dangerous time and place alive and does an amazing job at showing the reader the intricate details of the life of a photojournalist during war and how the war changes them and their lives.

This is a book that will most definitely transport the reader into the frightening and humid jungles of Vietnam as well as the filthy streets of Saigon. This alone makes the book worth the read. I didn't think the love story (or love triangle, to be more accurate) was as strong as it could have been. I just didn't 'feel' the love triangle in the way I believe the author intended. It didn't resonate with me in the way that I would have liked.

In the end, however, this novel was outstanding and I definitely recommend it. If nothing else, its a well written novel that will transport you to an entirely different world more effectively than you can imagine!

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Review: Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward

Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love this series but I only liked this particular book of the series. It was good, very readable. I was intrigued by the story but I wasn't as taken with it as I usually am with this series. I think the primary reason that I didn't love this one was that I wasn't particularly taken by the relationship between Manny and Payne. It was ok, but not nearly as breathtaking as some of the other couples. In fact, I wasn't that interested in Payne. I didn't find her compelling or particularly interesting. Again, she was okay. Just okay.

I love the Qhuinn and Blay storyline and look forward to seeing where J.R. Ward plans to take that in future books. She was obviously setting up a lot of things for the two of them in this book and I can't wait to see where that will go.

I also love Viscous and Jane so their having a large presence in this book was a good thing. I find their relationship interesting and complicated and compelling. They helped to heat things up when the Manny/Payne storyline withered out.

Overall, a solid book. But, definitely not one of the best of the series. Looking forward to the 10th in the series ... hoping it will take things to the next level!

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Review: Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really wanted to love this book ... the premise alone was right up my alley! And it was a good book ... very solid. But, it wasn't fantastic. It didn't blow my socks off. These end of the world type novels are always intriguing to me and this one was a pretty good one.

I thought that the actual premise was good and that the storyline itself was very effective. I was intrigued enough to keep reading. The writing was good. The character development was also very good. I think that the novel moved more slowly than it needed to which decreased its overall effectiveness. I think the same plot points could have been covered with less words. There isn't a lot of excitement or adventure in this story which may have contributed to the feeling of slowness. I found a bit of the actual world ending details to be less than stellar. It's not quite as feasible as its written. There are holes in the plot but I was able to overlook that most of the time. In the end, this novel gave me a great deal to think about and it sucked me into the story and has me eager for the next chapter in the series!

Overall, I enjoyed this one. I plan to read the next in the series as I'm intrigued by what might be coming next. I recommend this one if you like end of the world type novels ... this is a solid one.

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Review: Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

You can always rely on Kristin Hannah offering up a good, solid story that packs an emotional punch. This novel is no exception. Although I think the novel started slowly (it could have moved a bit faster), I think that it redeems itself by picking up and not letting go until the end. Hannah really knows how to build character, write a good story line and bring it all together in a way that is fantastic! Her books resemble those of Diane Chamberlain and Jodi Picoult. She is an outstanding storyteller.

This particular story is quite good. The characters were well written and the twists and turns were believable and effective. I took one star away for the fact that the beginning was slow but other than that, I can't find any major fault with this novel. It's a solid good read. This novel is a great representation of the work of Kristin Hannah. I definitely recommend that you give her novels a chance!

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Review: This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let me say up front that this is not a book for everyone ... but for me, it was OUTSTANDING! It's wry, sarcastic, witty and unabashedly profane! I loved every moment of the novel. The pacing of the book is fast as is the dialogue! It's ultimately a wild ride that takes you all over the place but leaves you feeling satisfied. I think this is one of those books that could be characterized as 'guy lit' but its so much more! I found myself relating to many of the characters (the fertility issues come to mind) and even seeing people from my life in the characters (good and bad). I loved that the characters were flawed and real. Nothing fake about any of them. They were real and their interactions felt very real to life.

Tropper's ability to combine the heartbreaking with the hilarious is what really brings the novel to life. Let's face it ... that IS life. I found that the novel brought out some incredible observations about loss, disappointment, growing up, messing up and redeeming yourself. Once you look behind the sarcasm and wit, you find something very deep and beautiful about how we live our lives. I really love this one!

I recommend it to anyone who is not put off by sarcasm, sexually explicitness, edgy/profane language. If those things bother you or offend you, this is one you should skip. However, if you're up for all of those things, then grab this one immediately ... you will NOT regret it!

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Review: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm wondering if my take on this book was impacted by all of the buzz it got. I was expecting something amazing and found something that was just good. And this is a good book. But, it's nothing special or life altering.

The alternating points of view bothered me a bit. I had trouble following who was who as I moved through the book. Perhaps due to reading it as an ebook, perhaps the formatting was off? There was no way to tell the difference between narrators which I found annoying at best.The point of view issue really took this from a 4 to a 3 for me. I really wish there had been a better method for the alternating ...

I also had a difficult time connecting to Hannah which I think might have made the book more enjoyable for me. I just didn't particularly care for her. I didn't find very much depth in the character which I think could have really helped the book. She was the central character and yet there wasn't much there. I also didn't find a connection with any of the other characters. They were literally just words on a page for me so the impact that they were supposed to have was minimal at best.

I think the subject matter was handled well and Asher told a good story with a fantastic message. This book presents a complex and thought-provoking story and its definitely a good, solid read. It just isn't all that I had hoped it would be.

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Review: Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian

Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Yikes. I really wanted to like this one. Unfortunately, I just didn't like it. It was readable but missed the mark in so many ways that it was distracting. Perhaps its my years of working with domestic violence victims but I felt that that aspect was not done well in this novel. It was very 'vanilla' and typical of most domestic violence stories. There wasn't anything interesting or compelling about this particular story.

Even worse than the domestic violence aspect being done badly, the characters were caricatures, not real flesh and blood, engaging characters. It wasn't just that they were unlikeable (although several of them WERE), they were just cardboard and boring! I figured out the 'big reveal' very early in the novel which is always disappointing. The alternating narrator tool used by Bohjalian just wasn't very effective in this novel - it made the plot feel repetitious and only made the cardboard feel of the characters stand out all the more for me. I had to force myself through the end of this one. I just didn't care all that much what was coming.

I have really enjoyed some of Bohjalian's books so I'm hoping that this is just a dud (although he's had a couple of duds for me now). Perhaps I'll just have a up and down relationship with his work - love some, dislike others! Either way, I just cannot recommend this book. There are so many other books that would be a better use of your time & energy. Skip this one, is my advice!

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Two Short Reviews

Bossypants by Tina Fey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I rarely find that comedy translates well in writing. I rarely find myself truly laughing at something I'm reading. I just think comedy is better when its happening live, in front of you. I keep trying books that friends tell me will crack me up, only to find myself disappointed over and over. Apparently, Tina Fey is the exception to all of this (at least for me). She's just funny ... funny pours out of her and into the pages of this book. There were several places where I laughed out loud! She's fantastic in Bossypants & if you like her, you'll enjoy this book.




Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really love this series but I think its beginning to be time for Sookie & friends to be put out of their misery. I enjoy reading the Sookie Stackhouse books but they aren't nearly as good now as they were in the earlier books. Which isn't to say that I won't keep reading ... I probably will because I love the characters and the world. I just think it may be time for Charlaine Harris to think about venturing out of Sookie-land and into something new. Or to really think about how she can steer Sookie and friends back to where they need to be. At this point, there is an element of 'dialing it in' to her writing. It's still entertaining but it could be so much better. As always, I sped through this one in 24 hours ... they are always light, quick reads for me. I'm rating this one 4 stars, for what it was - a light, enjoyable read. It's not great literature but it was DEFINITELY entertaining!


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Review: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I first heard about this book on one of my favorite podcasts, Guys Can Read. Their description and review of the book intrigued me but I wasn't sure that I would actually take the plunge and read it due to massively disparate reviews by friends on Goodreads. People seemed to love it or hate it. In the end, I decided to give it a shot, in hopes that I would love it. And, boy, did I ever love it!

I have heard a few people compare this book to Twilight and I just don't see it. So, please don't let those comparisons stop you from giving this one a try. This is NOT Twilight. It had more of the feel of the Outlanders series by Diana Gabaldon to me, although even that isn't a great comparison. The storytelling and world building were definitely in the same ball park as Gabaldon so perhaps that is why that comparison keeps coming to mind for me.

Although other reviewers keep talking about Deborah Harkness's writing not being particularly good, I cannot say that I felt that way. I felt her writing was quite good. She kept me engaged throughout the novel and kept things moving along fine for me. Her characters are outstanding and just jumped off the pages for me. I wanted to sink into a comfy chair and read it in one sitting!

This is a novel that has a bit of it all - history, the supernatural, romance, adventure, and even mystery. And it is all done well, in my opinion. The research that Harkness had to do to weave this wonderful tale must have been immense! She wove the tale so successfully - each and every piece of the puzzle came together as the story moved along. I truly did not want to put it down.

And now, I cannot wait for the next 2 books in the series. She left this first installment in a wonderful place and I cannot wait to pick back up with these characters in 2012 when the second installment is scheduled to be released. I don't think that any review that I can write will do this book justice but I'll just say that its one of my favorite books of 2011!

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Review: All That Is Bitter and Sweet: A Memoir by Ashley Judd

All That Is Bitter and Sweet: A Memoir by Ashley Judd

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

For some reason, I've always felt a kinship of sorts to Ashley Judd. I'm not really sure that I can explain it but when I'd hear her interviewed, she always reminded me a bit of myself. I've always wondered what it must like to be the daughter of Naomi Judd and the sister of Wynonna! When I heard that Ashley was coming out with a memoir, I was very intrigued to get her perspective on her life and all of the work I had heard she was doing all over the world.

Overall, her memoir tells two stories - one is the story of her childhood and her recovery from depression, abuse and dysfunction. The other is the story of her social justice work around the world on behalf of PSI and NGO. I found myself connecting a great deal to the first story and less so with the second.

Much of her childhood abuse and dysfunction was written so eloquently in this book and I felt that it gave me some perspective on what has made Ashley Judd who she is today. I also realized what it is that I connect to with Ashley. She and I have a great deal in common. I found that I like and respect her even more after reading about her journey. She's come so far and made such a commitment to taking care of herself and healing. I think she is an amazing woman doing amazing things around the world.

Although I was engaged during the stories of her social justice work, it became a bit monotonous to me as the book moved forward. I learned a great deal about injustice and the state of women throughout the world. It was certainly enlightening and eye opening. I really admire this woman for putting her life and career on hold to do what she feels is her life's work - helping make the world a better place.

I never felt that the book was overly emotional or heavy handed. It all felt very real to me. I appreciated that she didn't try to 'fix' it all in the end, but instead, focused on how healing is an every day endeavor. As someone who struggles with depression myself, I appreciated her perspective on healing and growth. It gave me a great deal to think about and incorporate into my own recovery.

Although I can understand that her faith is critical to her daily life and recovery, and part of each and every thing she does, I did feel it became a bit 'too much' at some point during reading. I found that faith was interwoven into every single aspect of the novel, which is fine, but it wasn't as effective to me as it probably will be to people who are more interested in that sort of thing.

I believe that this book could have used a bit of editing which is part of the reason that it didn't get 4 or 5 stars. I just think that there was a lot of repetition that was unnecessary. The same story could have been told more effectively in a more condensed form.

I think this is a powerful memoir that has the ability to show the reader an inside look at depression, recovery, healing, social injustice and poverty. I feel that I came out of reading the book understanding myself and this world a bit more clearly. It is because of this that I recommend the book, particularly if you're interested in depression/recovery or social injustice. This book contains a powerful message that we should all hear again.

In the end, I feel that I've found, in Ashley's story, a kindred spirit. It's nice to know that there is someone else out there who feels so deeply and is finding away to use her sensitivity and thoughtfulness to help the world become a better place.

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Review: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I went into the reading of this book with VERY high expectations given all of the buzz that I was hearing about how wonderful it was. The book was good but it wasn't GREAT. I enjoyed it but it just didn't quite make it to great for me.

I think the book was insightful and compelling but the pacing felt off to me. It was so slow and repetitive at times (I know that a large part of the plot insists on the repetitive aspect of the narrative but it didn't add to the reading experience for me). Character development (and growth) was GREAT - it was really what made this book special. I really felt like all of the characters were well drawn, in all of their complexity.

Although I'm an adult, the inner dialogue and life experiences of a teenager that were described in the novel felt very 'true.' I was taken back to my own high school experience a number of times while reading the novel.

I love the message of the novel and I think that its a message we should all be reminded of ...

Overall, a great YA novel that I think teens AND adults would enjoy! I definitely recommend it.

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Review: The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Overall, I liked the novel. But, I cannot forget the fact that it took over 100 pages to even remotely get my attention. I'd even go so far as to say the first 100 pages bored me to tears and could be one of the major flaws of this book as it makes it entirely easy for readers to give up! I'm glad I came back and tried it again but that first 100 pages made it a must less impactful book than it could have been. So, the rest of what I say is about the parts of the book AFTER 100 pages.

I really enjoyed this book - very gothic, creepy and unique. There is a lot of intrigue throughout the book, it kept me on my toes. Although the character development was a WIN of this book, in my opinion, I did think that the level of detail was a bit extreme. There were moments where I was so overwhelmed with the detailed descriptions that I just rushed through to something more 'meaty.' So, I may well have missed nuances of the story as a result. Less detailed descriptions would have eliminated the possibility. These detailed descriptions make the plot feel like it creeps along soooo slowly sometimes. It's just not a positive thing for the reader.

However, the character and the sense of place in the novel were outstanding. They really made this book come alive for me. There were parts of the book that were truly creepy. Don't want to turn off the light creepy. Looking behind you creepy.

A great deal of the novel focused on the themes around post-war Britain and the downfall of aristocracy. This wasn't as interesting to me as it might have been to some. That aspect of the novel was interesting of course but not what really stuck out to me. It's the psychological aspects of the story that really connected with me.

Overall, this was a nice gothic tale but it wasn't all that I'd hoped it would be. It's a bit slow, a bit creepy and a bit intriguing. And, ultimately, a very difficult book to rate ... I'm going with 3 although part of me feels that I'm being too generous. I recommend this one but with a lot of reservations due to the pacing issues and the sheer horribleness (is that a word??) of the first 100 pages. It's slow, the first 100 pages especially - if you stick with it, it gets better. If you like gothic stories, this may be just the book for you!

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Review: The Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain

The Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In true Diane Chamberlain style, this book was full of twist and turns, compelling me to read and read and read. Just when I'd think I figured it all out, she'd throw out another twist and make me rethink it all. I don't think its the most unique story that I've ever encountered but Diane Chamberlain did amazing things with it! She has a way of capturing the relationships and emotions of her characters in a way that makes you feel a part of the very world she's creating for you.

In this book, her illustration of the mother-daughter relationship and the bond of friendship was really well done. Certain aspects of the plot really made an impact for me and I found myself getting quite emotional. Diane Chamberlain knows how to pack her novels with an emotional punch that just hits you in the gut and doesn't let go until the end! This novel has a bit of it all - love, betrayal, friendship, grief, secrets, and redemption.

This novel is well written, has excellent characters and really keeps the reader engaged! I love the choice that Diane Chamberlain made to develop the story through the multiple perspectives of narrators. I thought it gave the plot more punch and moved the story along so successfully! This is a book that I definitely recommend if you like a fast moving story that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

NOTE: I received the galley proof of this novel from the publisher for review consideration.

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Review: Sweet Jiminy by Kristin Gore

Sweet Jiminy by Kristin Gore

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have really struggled with rating this one. It's more of a 3 1/2 than a 4 but I gave it the benefit of the doubt and rated it a 4.

This was a nice little book with a bit of mystery and a bit of romance. This appears to be Kristin Gore's effort to move away from the more 'fluffy' writing of her earlier book. This one is much more serious and really focuses on social issues.

Overall, I think this was a nice little book. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I really liked the main character, Jiminy. She was a very likeable and genuine character that I enjoyed spending time with while reading. The novel was VERY readable. It had the feeling of a lighter book but really focused on heavier material. I think that Gore did a great job of showing the reader the different mindsets of different generations about social injustice.

I've read more than one reviewer mention how its similar in some respects to The Help. I'm not sure that the two are anything like one another except that they both focus on issues of race and injustice. The tone of each book is VERY different. The execution of The Help is much more effective.

My primary issue with this novel is that it often felt rushed. The pacing felt off in some way and I felt that Gore raced through each and every thing to the point that she lost some of the narrative effectiveness along the way. In addition, the mystery itself wasn't particularly difficult to figure out which made the overall novel less effective. I knew very quickly what had happened and it bothered me a bit. I was hoping for a few more twists and turns. The romance was nice but it could have been great had Gore spent a bit more time fleshing it out. It felt rushed and unsatisfying to me. Overall, I felt that the novel could have been so much more than it ultimately was. I found myself a bit disappointed ... there was so much potential in the material but I felt Gore raced through the novel so quickly that much of that potential was squandered.

I'm glad that I read it and I do think it was an enjoyable book. I just wish it had lived up to its potential a bit more!

NOTE: I received the galley proof of this novel from the publisher for review consideration.

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Review: Don't Breathe a Word by Jennifer McMahon

Don't Breathe a Word by Jennifer McMahon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It takes quite a bit to freak me out and get under my skin. Authors are rarely able to put me in a place of discomfort but Jennifer McMahon had me there from the moment that I opened the book. First of all - the cover which is VERY unnerving. That little girl is intense! It is difficult to look into her eyes for very long. Second, the intrigue and suspense begins on page 1 and does not lay off until the final word of the novel. The hair on the back of my neck was up SEVERAL times during this book. It's just very creepy in places, making you feel like something very dangerous is coming your way. Yet, I could not put it down, even if I had wanted to!

This novel is a bit difficult to categorize for me ... suspense, mystery, paranormal, psychological thriller! It's all in this book. And, best of all, its all done well. Jennifer McMahon really pulled all of these pieces together beautifully. It never felt heavy handed or unbelievable. The twists and turns are handled expertly by McMahon who kept me guessing throughout the novel, giving me enough information to keep me interested but never enough to allow me to solve anything definitively!

This book stayed with me, even after I put it down. I kept thinking back through the story and trying to determine what was truly going on. Then, I would rush to pick it up again so I that I could fall back into the world that McMahon creates in order to get more information to help me determine what was going on. Very compelling and interesting read, particularly for those who enjoy a novel that intertwines the real and the paranormal. This is one that I definitely recommend!

This book will be released by the publisher on May 17, 2011.

NOTE: I received the galley proof of this novel from Harper Collins for review consideration.

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