Review: Soulless by Gail Carriger

Soulless by Gail Carriger

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a pleasant surprise this novel was for me! I had absolutely no expectations going in and was so happy to find that it was a delightful, smart and clever series that I cannot wait to dig into further!

The characters just stunned me. They are fantastic - interesting and multifaceted. I loved seeing Alexia and Connall's relationship grow throughout the novel. And all of the more 'background' characters just jumped off of the page for me!

Adventure, romance, fantasy and some science fiction - all rolled into one novel! Just fantastic! I had a ball reading this one! I didn't want to put it down! I loved Gail Carringer's witty writing style. I found it charming and refreshing.

This was a really nice break from some of the more literary novels that I seem to have been reading lately. I really enjoyed this one and definitely recommend it. I can't wait to read the second in the series!

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Review: We The Animals by Justin Torres

We the Animals by Justin Torres

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

There has been so much hype around this book that I have been wanting to get my hands on it. Unfortunately, it didn't make nearly the impact on me as it appears to have made on so many others. Was it impactful? Yes. Was it edgy? Yes. Was it a great book? Ehh. Not so much. I'd say it was good but certainly not great. It had so much potential but it just didn't get there.

I think Justin Torres has a really interesting, edgy kind of way about his writing which I think is fantastic. I think there is a lot of potential for him and his voice. That was the strength of this book - the voice. The first 2/3 of the novel had me mesmerized. I was so there, so interested in this family. And then, suddenly, out of nowhere, the author goes another direction. It was abrupt. It was unsettling. And, frankly, it took a really good novel down a few pegs to a good (almost ehh) book. If only Torres had invested more time and story (50-100 pages perhaps) to set up the last 3rd of the book instead of just dropping it into the readers lap with no set up or context. If only Torres had given the story those extra 50 to 100 pages. It could have been amazing.

The flow of the story arc is ultimately what I disliked about this novel and why, in the end, I struggle with rating it. This is one of those books that really had potential but it just didn't live up to it. I can see why there are folks who loved it - who felt something as a result of the story. The first 2/3 really are wonderful and impactful. Those initial pages get under your skin and make you FEEL something. Which for me, was one of the reasons that I ultimately disliked the novel so much ... to make me feel so much and then end the novel so badly. I just couldn't get past it. It cheapened the entire novel for me.

I'm not sure that I can even recommend it - that is how disappointing the last 3rd of the novel was to me. It is a very short novel so it's not a huge investment of time. So, if you want to see what all the fuss is about, you might want to check it out. But, ultimately, I'd suggest you skip it and seek out something else.

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Review: Zone One by Colson Whitehead

Zone One by Colson Whitehead

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I wanted to love this book. I really did. It sounded right up my alley but I just didn't enjoy a moment of reading this novel. A zombie literary novel ... um, heck yeah. But, it didn't work for me. At all. This is a book that I almost gave up on multiple times. I stuck with it because I'd heard so many good things ... I kept hoping that it would get better. Unfortunately, it did not.

This is a really well written novel but I just couldn't get behind the story ... or the characters ... or the world ... or anything else beyond beautiful writing. There was an utter lack of depth and emotion to the novel that was frustrating to me. The characters were cardboard. I frankly could care less about the world Colson Whitehead created or the people that he placed in that world. I understand that Whitehead was likely using the shallowness and detachment as a tool but I don't think it was done effectively. Instead of conveying mood, it just made the book difficult to drag through.

There were passages in the novel that just took my breath away with their beauty. But beautiful writing couldn't save this novel for me. It's missing most of the things that I enjoy in a novel and I just couldn't get over that.

Since this is my first Colson Whitehead novel, I'm really struggling with whether or not I should pursue his other works, particularly if this novel is representative of his work.

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this novel. There are so many other novels out there that are worth the time and effort but, in my opinion, this one is not. Which makes me rather sad because I had such hope that it would blow me away ... zombie literary fiction ... it could have been amazing.

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Review: The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was intrigued by this novel that featured a main character that was aging out of foster care. Although the story wasn't earth shattering - in fact, it was pretty predictable - it gave a fairly good idea of what some of the kids aging out of a lifetime in foster care can be like - I thought that the author did a good job with Victoria and writing her. Individuals who spend much of their childhood in foster care tend to be challenging in EVERY way - often selfish, rude, manipulative and extremely difficult to like. I think the author's portrait of an individual aging out of foster care was pretty on point. I worked with several of these kids during my time as a social work and let's face it, kids like that aren't for everyone.

What I loved most about this novel was that the author wrote a book that I hope can help people see the foster care system a bit more clearly. I hope it will help readers have a little more sympathy for kids who have been abused and/or neglected and then act out in bad ways. Just understanding what it can do to kids is the first step!

As I said above, the actual story was fairly predictable and didn't offer a lot of major surprises. But, the story was fine - just nothing that wow'd me. The writing was fantastic - there was a lyrical flow in the language that I loved.

I did love the whole flowers & meanings pieces of the novel - that was intriguing to me. Such a unique way for the author to help show the character's grasp of emotion. I love the idea of secret messages that you can pass along with flowers. In many ways, the flower component of the story allowed the author to weave the very intense and often ugly story of Victoria and her life experiences while also leaving the reader with some hope for the future.

All in all, this was a great book - really more of a four and a half star book but not quite a five star novel. I definitely recommend this to readers who aren't uncomfortable with intense subjects. It's a fantastic debut novel that is definitely worth a read!

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Review: Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks

Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've had mixed experiences with Geraldine Brook's novels. Although I appreciate the amount of research she obviously does for each book, I wouldn't say that the first two that I read had blown me away so I was reticent to even read this novel. But, the reviews were so good and the premise so compelling that I gave it a shot. And, I am very glad that I did so. Although not a five star read for me, it was a really good novel with amazing characters and historical context.

Again, this one was obviously well researched ... Brooks made the time period come alive for me. I love that the novel was told from the perspective of Bethia ... I had expected it to be Caleb given the title. It was a pleasant surprise to find that the book came from a female perspective! One of the things I loved most about this novel is the authenticity that permeates the entire novel. The characters were beautifully written. Brooks made them come alive on the page. And, through them, the time period being explored became real to me. I didn't know a whole lot about that time period prior to reading the book. I love how Brooks made that history come alive through the journey of her characters.

There was something about it that keeps me from a 5 star rating that I'm not entirely sure that I can even explain. At first I thought that it was perhaps the fact that the novel is written in the language of the time, the pacing or the old fashioned feel of the narrative. But, I don't think so. All of those things were interesting but something keeps this novel from going from good to great. Something I'm having trouble fully explaining.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, then you will most definitely enjoy this novel. It's well written and brings the time period alive. I really liked it and definitely recommend it widely!

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Review: V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton

V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sometimes I wonder if my love of each of the Kinsey Millhone books is because they are great books or because I've missed the characters so much that my excitement to visit with them again makes me automatically think highly of them. Either way, I love this series. Without a doubt one of my favorite series of all time.

This particular novel was well written with an interesting plot that kept me engaged throughout. Sue Grafton continues to deliver fantastic stories, with compelling plotting and excellent character development. That is what I love about this series and look forward to when I hear that the next one is coming!

Kinsey just plain rocks! She's such a fantastic character - sharp, witty and complex. I love to see where things take her ... how she grows in some ways and regresses in others. She's one of my favorite characters! I did miss Henry a bit in this one as he typically takes a greater role in the story but I always love the sections with Rosie and William!

All in all, this was a solid addition to the series and I really enjoyed it. If you're a Kinsey fan, you'll love this one!

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Review: The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked this one up on a whim when my Nook was charging and I wanted something to read. I had heard a lot of good things about it and was intrigued at what all the fuss was about. Well, now I know. Kate Morton knows how to tell a great story, how to unfold a story in a way that keeps you racing through the book and how to keep you guessing! I really enjoyed every moment of reading this novel.

This novel contains so much that its difficult to characterize - it's a mystery, a family saga, a fairy tale and a story of betrayal. Although not a 'deep' book, it is a fun, entertaining novel that engaged me and kept me interested until the last page. This novel was enchanting and I completely understand why so many have enjoyed it.

This novel is a well executed fairy tale and Morton has weaved the concept of fairy tales and storytelling into the narrative so effortlessly. Through the interweaving of three women in different time periods, the author tells a great story that contains all of the characteristics of a traditional fairy tale. All in all, this novel is simply fantastic storytelling!

If you're looking for a delightful novel that is more light than heave, I would definitely recommend this one.

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Review: When She Woke by Hillary Jordan

When She Woke by Hillary Jordan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


When She Woke is a fantastic dystopic novel that examines fairly intense topics such as faith, religion, individualism, choice, and punishment. Hillary Jordan tackles a number of fairly controversial topics - most notably abortion - in this novel. I love that she takes them on straightforwardly and honestly. I thought the author's retelling of The Scarlet Letter was clever but I liked how Jordan modernized the overall story and took the story down a new path with When She Woke.


The concept of chroming (coloring people to categorize them as various 'offenses' such as murder, pedophilia, etc) was really interesting and, frankly, ingenious. I almost wish that she'd explored that aspect even more deeply because I wanted to know more about the details and how the government came to a place of coloring people as punishment. It's a very interesting concept.


What I loved most about this novel was the journey of the main character, Hannah. The novel is essentially about female empowerment. The author did a wonderful job creating complex, believable, intensely human characters overall. However, Hannah's personal development through the course of the novel was particularly well done.


All of the issues in this novel were well written and explored in a well rounded way. I thought her journey was amazing and gave me a lot to think about. The entire novel was a thought provoking journey and I really enjoyed it. I didn't want to put the book down! Despite the heavy material and the thought provoking nature of the book, I would say it is an engaging and exciting book!


There is a great deal of controversial and socially relevant subject matter written with an unabashedly feminist perspective which may be off-putting for some individuals. If that is something that rubs you the wrong way, this book will not be for you. I found the novel to be an inspiring story about the struggle from oppression to empowerment, similar to Margaret Atwood's The Handmaids Tale. I suspect that if you enjoyed that novel, you will like this one!


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Review: The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides

The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Let me get this out of the way - I'm a Jeffrey Eugenides fan. Although I didn't love The Virgin Suicides, I understand why its so highly regarded. It was a beautifully written book but just not completely up my alley. On the other hand, Middlesex blew me away. Five stars, one of my all time favorite novels. So, I've been eagerly awaiting the publication of this novel. I was intrigued by the subject he'd chosen to focus on but had a tiny bit of trepidation that the subject wouldn't wow me. But, I was wrong. This book is no Middlesex but its very good.

Eugenides' writing is just fantastic. He is clearly a good writer. No doubt about it ... the writing in this novel is clever, wry, and compelling. It drew me in, kept me interested and didn't let go of me even once. I never felt let down by the plot - I think it was beautifully constructed and gave the novel such a great sense of flow and movement.

The novel feels old fashioned in comparison to Middlesex. Given the subject matter and the focus on semiotics and the marriage plot, that makes sense. His deconstruction of the marriage plot in order to make it work in the modern world was so fascinating to me. This novel is pretty non conventional but in the best of ways. Early in the book, I kept wondering to myself why I was enjoying the book so much because it definitely felt old fashioned and I typically am not a fan of old fashioned. Yet, Eugenides pulled it off. He kept me curious, he kept me engaged.

What really stood out for me in this novel is the plotline around living with manic depression. I have a very personal connection to that particular disorder and I felt that Eugenides brought the realities of the disorder to life very well. It was a powerful view into the experience of living with someone who is manic and/or depressed while also giving perspective on what the actual experience of being manic and/or depressed feels like. This is one aspect of the book that I think was outstanding.

I'm not sure, however, that this is a novel for everyone. It's unapologetic about being old fashioned. It certainly isn't a hard book to read. It's not difficult in that way but I think it requires thought and reflection on the part of the reader. It doesn't just tie everything up in a pretty bow. I felt as if I was caught in the web of a master storyteller who also challenged me to go deeper and think about life, love, relationships, literature and adulthood in new and different ways. But, I can also see why the very things that I loved about the novel could put off others.

All in all, I really liked this novel. I recommend it to most readers. And I can't wait to see what Euginides has in store for us next.

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Quick Review: Three Bedrooms, One Corpse by Charlaine Harris

Three Bedrooms, One Corpse by Charlaine Harris
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I needed something a bit light and this was the perfect book for that ... its a good solid mystery. A quick read! I really like the character of Aurora Teagarden so I love this series of mysteries. The mystery itself and the writing were both a bit better in this one than the previous two (if memory serves). I definitely see growth from book to book. There are certainly flaws but I like them quite a bit! A nice reprieve from all of the heavier literary fiction I've been reading!

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Review: Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I want to say upfront that I suspect I would have loved this book had I read it before The Secret Life of Bees. There are a great deal of similarities between that book and this one. Unfortunately, I loved The Secret Life of Bees quite a bit more than this one. This is a really nice little book but it fails to live up to its promise. It just isn't as good at other books with similar themes and circumstances.

The writing, plot and characters were fine but the novel never went into the depths of the themes and situations in the novel which made it feel more like a fluffy, beach read than the complex novel it could have been. It was nice and sweet but never went anywhere beyond the surface. It definitely has southern charm, a sweet little story and nice characters ... but nothing that really made it great. It wasn't nearly as effective as similar novels that I've read. I kept hoping that it was coming ... some depth, some emotional exploration, some real examination of the issues ... but it never came. Which is a shame - this book could have been so much more than just good.

If you enjoy light, easy to read southern fiction without a lot of depth or examination, you'll adore this book. There’s nothing wrong with the book per se, but it definitely didn’t live up to my expectations. I was hoping for more. I should also add that most of my book-ish friends seemed to love this book so perhaps it just didn't work for me but might work for you!

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Review: The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian

The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a fantastic surprise this book was for me! I seem to have a hot or cold relationship with Chris Bohjalian's writing so I was concerned going in about how I'd feel about it. But, I had no reason to be worried. I was in good hands with this novel. It's creepy, it's well written, it's multi-layered and just plain GOOD!

Let's face it, at his best, Chris Bohjalian is a wonderful storyteller. His writing is very accessible yet it has such depth. The story that Bohjalian concocts here is one of the better stories that I've read in awhile. The story is dark & chilling. And Bohjalian's writing brings it to life with wit, depth, insight and versatility! This book has a bit of everything - suspense, horror, paranormal/occult, mental illness

For me, one of the most impressive things about this book was how Bohjalian made the experience of a plan crash come alive. I can't imagine how much research he had to do in order for this book to bring that alive for the reader. I literally felt as if I was in the plane - as if I was experiencing it all first hand. Bohjalian handled the writing of those passages masterfully.

I also thought it was incredible how well he kept the various threads which are interwoven throughout the novel. It would have been a difficult task for a lesser writer. Boyhjalian's skill in keeping the various threads alive for the reader while also moving the plot along and keeping the suspense at a heightened level was simply fantastic! Personally, I felt it was impressive.

This novel keeps getting called a ghost story but it really is so much more than that ... it's a character study, its a horror story and a supernatural tale - all at the same time! Bohjalian brings these things together so well! This book is simply fantastic.

The only reason that this novel isn't getting 5 stars is that I didn't love the ending. It was fine, it was good but it felt a bit cliche and unsurprising in some way. For me, the strength of the novel is the journey you take. The ending didn't quite get me where I was hoping to go. Let me be clear - it's not a bad ending, just not nearly as impactful as I'd hoped. I also wish that there was less mention of the whole Sully Sullenberger landing in 2009. It felt a bit overdone - a few mentions would have been enough. The constant bringing it back up felt like a bit too much.

There were sections of this novel that sent shivers up my spine and made me feel like I was going to jump out of my skin. That doesn't happen to me a lot. So, this was a pleasant surprise for me.

I really liked this book a lot and would recommend it to anyone who loves a good scary, creepy story ... especially one that is well-written!

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

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Review: The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I kept hearing about Persepolis and what a fantastic graphic novel it was so I decided it was time for me to get my hands on a copy and read it. It's really more than a graphic novel - it is also autobiography, history and a social/cultural commentary. The graphics are very well done - they are piercing and really tell this story so well. I loved the historical aspects of the novel - they were fascinating and the graphic novel genre really made that history accessible.

I enjoyed reading this book but it never really took me to that place that you want a book to take you to. I just kept thinking, OK - the great stuff must be just around the corner, I like this stuff but where is the great stuff. And, unfortunately, it just never came for me. Something felt like it was missing. I still haven't quite pinpointed what that might be. I enjoyed seeing the journey, learning about the history, etc. but it just didn't connect with me the way I'd hoped. This is only the second graphic novel that I've read. I loved the first one but this one was underwhelming, especially after hearing so many of my bookish friends rave about it. I wish I'd loved it more. I think it is a good, solid read but nothing that struck me as amazing.

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Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am super conflicted about this book ... I loved so much of it but there were flaws. Flaws that keep me from giving it a 5 star rating ... even though many aspects of this novel deserve a 5 star rating! This is one of those novels that has so much potential that I'm sad not to be able to give it a 'this is my favorite book of 2011' rating!

What I loved most about this book was how Erin Morgenstern created a story unlike any story that I've ever read. It is unique. It is compelling. It is simply wonderful. Seriously - like nothing I've ever read. I feel like most fiction today is just the same few stories told over and over again with different nuances. That is NOT the case with this novel. Until you've read it, you just won't understand the uniqueness of the novel. Seriously - it's that unique. I can't explain it and wouldn't even if I could. Discovering it yourself is one of the best things about this novel.

The structure of the novel is frankly brilliant. Different plot threads are woven in and out of time throughout the novel (which was sometimes a bit confusing, if I'm honest) but they come together amazingly at the end. And you realize just how brilliant Erin Morgenstern was in her structuring of the narrative. It's fantastic! I think I'll go back and read it again at some point because I think it would be interesting to see how she did it, now that I know what I know.

The best part of the book, however, is the creativity that Erin Morgenstern shows in her painting of the world of this novel. There are certain aspects of the circus that literally blew me away. I was amazed at some of what she created with her words and the use of magic. The circus itself makes this book worth reading. It is simply stunning. The setting of this book is, I suspect, the reason for the hype and insane attention this book has gotten. It's unlike anything you will have read about before. In some ways the strength of setting may well be one of the primarily downfalls of the book since it seems to overtake all other aspects of the novel. The characters, plot and story often seem to be taking a backseat to the stunning backdrop of the circus. They simply cannot compete.

There is a feeling of distance and coldness to the story. I'm not sure that I can explain it well but I never felt connected to the people or the places in any real way. They were beautifully described but left me cold. Even uninterested, in some cases. They were so woefully underdeveloped that they just left me cold. A case in point is the romance in the novel. It just didn't work. The two characters never really seemed connected to me - they seemed like cardboard mannequins walking around and saying they love each other but never showing it or even really feeling it. I liked them but I didn't connect with them. I loved the world they lived in but they never came alive for me.

The next thing that I didn't love was the fact that it felt like a truly slowwwwwww moving train at times. I felt like it lost some of its steam at times. Not the entire book but sometimes. I think this is a product of the intertwining of plot lines that didn't always make sense. It didn't allow the novel to flow in the fast paced way you might expect, given the subject matter - magic. It's almost like the book keeps you at a distance. It doesn't let you in at all. It treats you like a visitor, never giving you the sense of being there. Despite it moving slow at times, I was never bored or not interested in going back for more. I just felt like I was watching a really slow movie that I was dying to see but surprised at how long it was taking to get where it needed to go.

Although I love the story generally, I will say that its not nearly as full as it could have been. It's unique, its fantastic but it doesn't go beyond the surface. The descriptions make the world come alive but not the story. The magic of this novel is the writing - there were moments when Erin Morgenstern just knocked me out with her beautiful words. Her wordplay astounded me at times. I would re-read a passage, amazed at how beautiful it was. But, in the end, I wanted a bit more 'meat' in the story itself. I'd prefer to have that AND the beautiful writing. Erin Morganstern has insane talent at creating a unique world & describing it. But, I'd like to have seen a bit more behind that world and its descriptions. It would have taken a good book and made it outstanding.

I completely understand why this book is getting so much attention and praise. I'm sure that it will blow many readers away. I really liked it, for the most part, but I was not blown away. I recommend this book because when it is great, it is great. Just know, going in, that there are flaws here. I may be in the minority since so many others that I respect seemed to be astounded by this novel. Anyway, I recommend it and I truly hope you are astounded in a way that I was not. Happy Reading!

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Review: The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta

The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was my first Tom Perrotta novel but I had heard things about his writing style that made me think that he might be right up my alley. And, based on The Leftovers, I think that might have been accurate. Let me just say it ... I really liked this novel. A lot. I think its one of those novels that is more than just a good story. It is definitely a good story but it's also the kind of novel that makes you think.

The novel centers around a community that is dealing with the sudden disappearance of random people (There is no apparent rhyme or reason for their disappearing). It is three years after the event and the bulk of the novel tells the story of the aftermath. Perrotta's focus is exploring how people respond and how they make sense of something unexplainable.

There is no doubt that Perrotta is a good writer. The story itself was unique and interesting. He creates multifaceted characters who really jump off the page. He explores a variety of difficult themes in this novel with a great deal of respect and honesty. I didn't feel that he was ever shoving his point of view down my throat and it appears that he really tried to show a variety of sides to each issue.

I said the following in my blog post about the buddy read that I did for this book but I think it captures a great deal about how this book made me feel so I wanted to share it here ...

The primary reason that I was interested in reading this book is to see what the fiction brought to light about faith and belief, particularly as it relates to religion. I appreciated how Perrotta explored these themes in the novel. Although I will say that I got a sense of where he fell in the 'believe or don't believe' camp, I don't think he shoved his personal beliefs down the readers throat which I appreciated. I found that a lot of the issues of belief and faith explored in the book did lean towards the side of stating that there are great perils in relying on outside structures for meaning in life (religious, political or otherwise). This is a sentiment that aligns closely with my own beliefs so perhaps that is why I was comfortable with the material and the leanings of the themes being explored.

I felt like there was a lot of material in the novel that really gave the reader the opportunity to explore belief and faith in new and different ways. I found myself once again thinking through my own personal beliefs as a result of the themes of this novel. Faith can be a very polarizing issue so I liked how Perrotta handles religion and its exploration in the novel. I will say that, by the end of the novel, much of my personal beliefs about faith were reinforced as a result of thinking that I did while reading the novel.

All to say - I really liked this novel and will actively pursue some of Perrotta's other novels. I like his writing. I like his exploration of interesting issues and themes. I definitely recommend this novel. It is a fascinating look into belief, faith and extremism. You can't go wrong with this one!

NOTE: You can read the entire buddy read that Carrie and I did for this book on my blog at the following link - http://amysbookobsession.blogspot.com/20...

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