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Showing posts with label 2013 50 States Challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2013 50 States Challenge. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
When You Just Ain't Got a 'Knack for Holiness,' What's the Use Anyhow?
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It's tough being a preacher's kid, especially in a tiny town where sharp eyes detect your every coming and going. And even sharper tongues report suspicious movements to your father. Anyway, it's not like 10-year-old Robbie Hewitt goes looking for trouble—it just seems to find him. He's tried to turn from his wild, mischievous ways, yes he has, but it's not working. A boy like him just isn't meant to be cooped up in church all day, not when there are trees to climb, fish to catch and bloomers to run up the flagpole. Still, Robbie knows he has to be careful since his Pa's overly-forgiving nature is already making his position as preacher of the Congregational Church precarious; a few too many misdeeds from the youngest Hewitt could lead to Pa's unemployment. Then, where would Robbie's family be?
As the 19th Century winds down, bringing the end of the world with it (at least according to Reverend Pelham), Robbie begins to wonder—what's the point of trying to be a good Christian, anyway? It's way too much of a burden for someone like him, someone who, "let's face it, ain't got the knack for holiness" (19). He decides, instead, to become a "heathen, a Unitarian, or a Democrat, whichever was most fun" (19) and to pack as much riotous living as possible into the last months of 1899.
Even Robbie's surprised by the scale of adventure that comes his way. But when the young rapscallion finds himself in way, way over his head, he has no idea what to do or who to trust. Can the avowed "apeist"What' find his faith once more? Can he fix the messes he's made without getting his Pa fired? And, most importantly, what exactly will happen to Robbie Hewitt come January 1, 1900?
There's a lot to love about Preacher's Boy, the newest middle grade novel by renowned author Katherine Paterson. Robbie's a funny narrator, whose rebellious-but-repenting nature makes him both sympathetic and genuine. His antics made me laugh out loud. Literally. The story itself, though, feels a little clumsy to me. There's not a lot of originality to it, nor is there a strong plot to give meaning to all of Robbie's various exploits. The characters are vivid, though, as is the disapproving small-town setting. All in all, the book's entertaining. Not shout-it-from-the-rooftops amazing, but not a bad yarn either.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of Mark Twain's classics Adventures of Tom Sawyer; Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; etc.)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language and intense situations
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Preacher's Boy from the generous folks at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Thank you!
Monday, September 16, 2013
Can a Newbie Author Pull Off Such an Ambitious Plot? Well, No, Not Really.
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School and 17-year-old Tyler MacCandless don't get along very well. It's not that he doesn't try. He does. And it's not that he isn't smart enough. He is. It's just that his ADHD makes it difficult to sit still, impossible to concentrate. It's a whole lot easier to pretend he doesn't care. Blowing off class to spend quality time with his game console is more to Tyler's liking anyway. And, if he does it well, it might even lead to a real job. That's what Rick Anderson, an Air Force vet who's become Tyler's mentor and father figure, says. He's given Tyler an amazing new game to test—if Tyler can reach a high enough score, he can earn his way into flight school. At the very least, the game keeps his mind off his other problems: failing grades, his workaholic mother, and an older brother who's in rehab trying to get clean.
Ani Bagdorian is a brilliant, 16-year-old computer programmer from L.A. A freshman at Yale, she's feeling just a little out of place. At least her secret job designing software for a mysterious company called Haranco pays for most of her tuition. Even if the whole situation makes her feel a little uneasy. Still, she doesn't dare quit, not if she wants to keep herself out of jail.
When Tyler and Ani meet, the two are instantly attracted to each other. Not that they're allowed to have any kind of relationship. Haranco won't allow it. But the more the two learn about the dangerous game they're both playing, the more sure they are of one thing: something screwy's going on. And they're going to get to the bottom of it, whether Haranco likes it or not. With a powerful corporation tracking their every move, the pair will have to use every ounce of smarts, sense and courage they've got to solve the mystery before people get hurt—people who include not just themselves, but everyone they love.
While the premise behind Playing Tyler, a debut YA thriller by T.L. Costa, sounded intriguing, it also seemed ambitious. Maybe too ambitious for a newbie author. Turning a plot that already sounds far-fetched into something believable—well, I just wasn't sure Costa could pull it off. And she didn't, not really. Still, there were things the author did right, things that surprised me, things that made the novel more entertaining than I thought it would be. Tyler, for one—the thoughts constantly pin-balling around in his head, echoed in the stacatto rhythm of his narration, as well as his hot-tempered, half-baked ideas and actions just seemed right-on for a teenage boy with ADHD. After reading a few chapters of the book, I actually said aloud to my husband, "Wow, no wonder [a kid we know]'s the way he is, if this is what goes on in his head all day." So, that at least seemed authentic to me. The rest? Not so much. Costa's prose definitely impressed me more than I thought it would, but Playing Tyler's still full of contrived plot twists, under-developed characters and a storyline that should have been trimmed in order to create a stronger, tighter narrative. I ended up enjoying this one, more or less, but it's still a pretty average thriller, in my (oh, so humble) opinion. And yet, Costa is an author on which I'll definitely be keeping me eye.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of The Kill Room by Jeffery Deaver)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, sexual innuendo/content, depictions of underage drinking/illegal drug use, and violence
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Playing Tyler from the generous folks at Strange Chemistry via those at BookSparks PR. Thank you!
Saturday, September 07, 2013
New Dairy Queen Novel as Satisfying as an Oreo (Or Two, Or Three, Or Four ...)
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Sarah Zorn and Curtis Schwenk (yes, he's one of the sports-obsessed Schwenks from Catherine Gilbert Murdock's Dairy Queen series) are such good friends that people tease them all the time about being boyfriend and girlfriend. They're not. No one else needs to know that, though, so they pretend to be madly in love. It's their "Brilliant Outflanking Strategy." The only problem with the plan is that 14-year-old Sarah's played her role a little too well—she's developing some real, but definitely inconvenient boy-liking feelings for Curtis. Her out-of-whack emotions are messing with her head. Good thing her zany Grandma Z just presented her with a blank journal in which to chronicle all her adventures (which, so far, only exist in her imagination). She'll use it to figure out her wonky relationship with Curtis, her best friend or maybe more-than-a-best-friend (although that one might be an only-in-Sarah's-dreams kind of thing, too).
When Grandma Z begs Sarah's parents to let Sarah accompany her on a vacation in Rome, she's a little nervous. As fun as her grandma is, even Sarah knows she's not the most responsible adult in the world. Plus, Curtis worries like no one's business—will her BFF (or maybe-more-than-a-BFF) survive without her? In the end, she goes despite her concerns, deciding the trip will offer her not just an adventure, but also a chance to clear her head without Curtis around to mess with her pinballing thoughts.
As it turns out, though, she's just as confused in Rome as she is in Red Bend, Wisconsin. Her grandma's acting strange—well stranger. Which isn't helping Sarah figure anything out. But, as she delves into some deep family secrets, she learns a lot about her grandmother and herself. Maybe the answers to her problems with Curtis are in there somewhere, too.
If you enjoyed the Dairy Queen books (like I did), you'll find lots to love about Murdock's newest YA novel. It's geared toward an older middle grade/younger teen audience than the other books, so it's tone is a little bit lighter. Nonetheless, it's full of Murdock's signature upbeat, witty style. Sarah's a fun, enthusiastic narrator, one to whom it's easy to relate. Heaven is Paved With Oreos is a quick, appealing read that's sure to please Murdock's many fans while gaining her legions of new ones.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of Murdock's Dairy Queen novels [Dairy Queen; The Off Season; and Front and Center)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for some mild sexual innuendo and brief references to sex, including homosexuality
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Heaven is Paved With Oreos from the generous Catherine Gilbert Murdock. Thank you!
Thursday, September 05, 2013
New Proper Romance Enjoyable Despite a Few Wrinkles
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The Great Famine devastated thousands of Irish families, causing widespread starvation, disease and death across the Emerald Isle. Katie Macauley knows the horrors of that dark period only too well. Though but a wee lass during its most miserable points, the 26-year-old can't forget the terrible losses the Famine brought to her family. Or the suffering she herself caused them. Her only hope is to rectify her mistakes. The harder she works, the more money she can save to put toward that goal. As soon as she earns enough, she will return to Ireland, buy back her father's land, and set everything she ruined to rights again. That trip can't come soon enough for the determined Katie.
Whether she likes it or not, Katie must choose a side in the brewing battle. It doesn't help that her heart's torn between two men, one Irish, one not. Katie knows she can't give her loyalty to anything or anyone, not until she's paid her debt to her family in Ireland. But, with each day she spends in Hope Springs, it becomes harder and harder to leave. In the end, she can only follow her heart. The question is: Where will it take her?
The second novel (after Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson) to be published in Shadow Mountain's new Proper Romance line, Longing for Home by Sarah M. Eden does what a proper romance should—it tells a wholesome love story in a pleasing format that's not going to make anyone blush. It's clean, it's fun, it's readable. The story's vintage Eden, just in a more modern setting and with a tragic back story that makes it a more serious novel than her others. Eden's gift for writing amusing banter between her male and female characters shines especially bright in Longing for Home. Overall, it's an enjoyable book. I would just leave it at that, but of course, I had a few issues. My biggest beef was Katie herself. Although she's a sympathetic and courageous character, she's also a very self-absorbed one. I'm still not quite sure why all the other characters loved her so much—she didn't really do anything and the things she did do mostly just benefited herself. Add that to a few other irritants—the story's ending is pretty anti-climactic, one arm of the love triangle doesn't get any kind of resolution (I know there's a sequel in the works, but still ...), Katie's inner conflict seems really weak, etc.—and I ended up liking, but not loving this one. I remain an Eden fan, I just hope she works out some of these story wrinkles in the next book (Hope Springs, coming in Spring 2014).
(Readalikes: Reminded me of Borrowed Light by Carla Kelly)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for some violence
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Longing for Home from the generous folks at Shadow Mountain. Thank you!
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
YA Family Drama Sweet and Satisfying
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When Sheridan Wells decorates a cake, she loses herself in the process. Completely. All of her problems recede as she focuses on creating the perfect confectionary centerpiece, whether it be for a wedding, a birthday party or an anniversary. Around St. Mary, her tiny hometown on the shore of Lake Michigan, 15-year-old Sheridan is known as "Cake Girl." And with good reason—when it comes to cakes, she's sort of a genius. If only her other troubles were so easily solved ...
And Sheridan does have troubles. Her dad, for starters. He's a busy chef who runs the most popular restaurant in town. She barely sees him as it is and now he's being offered his own t.v. show, which will require not just more working hours but also a move to New York City. Sheridan's dad is ecstatic; Sheridan's devastated. She can't imagine leaving the place where she's lived her entire life, can't fathom jetting away from her friends (especially Ethan, who's finally paying some attention to her), her grandma and her booming cake decorating business.
When Sheridan gets a viable lead on the whereabouts of her too-busy-to-write-or-call-for-two-years mother, she knows she's found a way to keep them all in St. Mary. Pulling this off will require more work and determination than any cake project she's ever tackled, but she has to make it happen. It's either that or lose everything that's important to her. Sheridan knows how to save a cake from sure disaster—can she do the same for her crumbling-to-pieces life?
The Sweetest Thing, a debut novel by Christina Mandelski, takes all the right ingredients—family drama, boy problems, friend trouble—in all the right amounts and mixes them up into a sweet, satisfying story that's just as scrumptious as its cover would suggest. Is it wholly original? No. Predictable? Totally. Pitch perfect? Not really. But, who cares? It's a light, fun, engaging read and I, for one, found it pretty darn delectable.
The Sweetest Thing, a debut novel by Christina Mandelski, takes all the right ingredients—family drama, boy problems, friend trouble—in all the right amounts and mixes them up into a sweet, satisfying story that's just as scrumptious as its cover would suggest. Is it wholly original? No. Predictable? Totally. Pitch perfect? Not really. But, who cares? It's a light, fun, engaging read and I, for one, found it pretty darn delectable.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs) and mild sexual innuendo/content
Wednesday, August 07, 2013
Shriver's Newest Compelling, Though Heavy (Pun Intended) and Generally, Just A Big, Ole Downer
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Pandora Halfdanarson will do anything for the older brother she's always adored. So, when Edison needs a temporary place to live, she agrees to take him in without a moment's hesitation. Her husband is not enthusiastic about the idea, however. Fletcher thinks his brother-in-law is an insufferable blowhard. But Pandora insists: Edison is family. He needs her. She'll do whatever she can to help.
Pandora's marriage is already floundering, due in part to the fact that Fletcher's custom carpentry business isn't making any money, while Pandora's pull-string doll company is flourishing. Does she dare alienate her husband even more by siding with Edison? As Edison's domineering personality slowly begins to take over Pandora's life, she must decide how much she's willing to risk in order to aid her brother. Can she save him from himself, even if it means sacrificing everything she has? Because, as is becoming clearer and clearer, that's what it's going to take.
When Edison lumbers off the plane in Cedar Rapids, Pandora gets the biggest shock of her life. Her brother's always been svelte—a hip, handsome Jazz pianist with plenty of adoring females at his side. In the four years since Pandora last saw him, Edison's transformed himself into someone completely—literally—unrecognizable. He used to be trim, now he weighs just under 400 lbs. The obese 43-year-old suffers from depression, pre-diabetes and a severe case of denial. Clearly, Edison Apaloosa needs more than just a soft place to land. The question is: Can Pandora give her brother the help and support he so desperately requires? And, what will it cost her, not just financially, but emotionally as well?
Pandora's marriage is already floundering, due in part to the fact that Fletcher's custom carpentry business isn't making any money, while Pandora's pull-string doll company is flourishing. Does she dare alienate her husband even more by siding with Edison? As Edison's domineering personality slowly begins to take over Pandora's life, she must decide how much she's willing to risk in order to aid her brother. Can she save him from himself, even if it means sacrificing everything she has? Because, as is becoming clearer and clearer, that's what it's going to take.
Obesity seems to be a trendy topic in fiction lately. It's easy to see why—it's a heavy subject (pun intended), a life-and-death struggle with plenty of inherent conflict and drama. In Big Brother, Lionel Shriver's newest novel, the author gives us a raw, unsettling taste of what dealing with a loved one's obesity can feel like. It's a powerful story—though a depressing one—about the lengths we go to to help struggling family members, even when it comes at great personal cost to us. Shriver writes with sharp, piercing honesty, making Big Brother a compelling, compulsively readable story, though a difficult one. I found it engrossing, even if none of the characters came off as particularly likable. The ending, however, soured me on the whole thing. Without being too spoiler-y (I hope), let me just say that unreliable narrators almost always kill a story for me. Considering that and the novel's generally downer tone, Big Brother turned out to be just an okay read.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, depictions of illegal drug use, intense situations and sexual innuendo/content
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Big Brother from the generous folks at Harper Collins via those at TLC Book Tours. Thank you!
Thursday, August 01, 2013
In Reichs' Newest, It's Tempe vs. Smugglers of Every Sort
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(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Bones of the Lost, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from previous Temperance Brennan novels. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
Bad days are par for the course when your career revolves around the commission of violent crimes. And Tempe Brennan, North Carolina's most renowned forensic anthropologist, is having a doozy. It begins with an embarrassing incident at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse and ends with a young woman's battered body lying in the morgue. Tempe's assignment: find out who murdered girl. The only real clue is an ID card in the victim's purse, which belongs to a local businessman. The man would naturally be considered a suspect—if he hadn't perished a few months earlier in a deadly fire. Coincidence? Or, are the two incidents linked somehow?
In the middle of trying to ascertain the dead girl's identity, another mystery lands in Tempe's lab. This time, it's a pack of mummified dogs confiscated by U.S. Customs. The accused smuggler is Dominick Rockett, a veteran of Desert Storm. Is the soldier guilty? Does his alleged crime have anything to do with the other deaths Tempe's investigating? Curiouser and curiouser.
To add to the work stress, Tempe's got mounting personal problems: her ex-husband's tired of waiting for divorce papers; her grieving daughter's on active duty in Afghanistan; and she hasn't heard from Ryan in way, way too long.
With such a massive load on her shoulders, how will the intrepid anthropologist deal? Especially since, once again, her investigations are angering some dangerous people. People who will stop at nothing until it's Tempe Brennan's cold, lifeless body that's lying in the morgue.
Bones of the Lost (available August 27, 2013), the 16th installment in Kathy Reichs' popular Temperance Brennan series, offers another exciting adventure starring everyone's favorite forensic anthropologist. Tempe's always relatable, always a compelling narrator. I seriously love her more with each book. As disturbing as the subject matter (human trafficking) of Bones of the Lost is, I enjoyed it for the same reasons I like all of the novels in this series—they're fast-paced puzzles populated with colorful characters, fascinating science (an oxymoron, I've always thought), and enough plot twists and turns to keep me guessing. While this one isn't the absolute best Tempe Brennan book, it's another solid addition to this series, which continues to be one of my very favorites.
(Readalikes: Other books in the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs [Deja Dead; Death du Jour; Deadly Decisions; Fatal Voyage; Grave Secrets; Bare Bones; Monday Mourning; Cross Bones; Break No Bones; Bones to Ashes; Devil Bones; 206 Bones; Spider Bones; Flash and Bones; Bones Are Forever and the new novella, Bones in Her Pocket])
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, violence/gore, and sexual innuendo/content
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Bones of the Lost from the generous folks at Simon & Schuster via those at Edelweiss. Thank you!
Monday, June 03, 2013
It Made Me Laugh, It Made Me Think, It Made Me Curse, It Made Me Cry ...
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Isabelle McAllister and Dorrie Curtis aren't family, nor are they exactly bosom buddies. But, when the 89-year-old widow finds herself in need of a favor—a very big favor—Dorrie's the only person she can think of to ask. Despite their differences, the two women have grown close over the years and yet, there's plenty they don't know about each other. Isabelle's not sure she's ready to spill all her secrets; still, she knows she can't do what she needs to do without Dorrie by her side.
Dorrie's grown fond of Isabelle during the years she's been styling the old woman's hair. Still, Dorrie's dumbfounded by her client's strange request. She knows Isabelle's too elderly to drive herself from their home in Texas all the way to Cincinatti. She also knows she'd do anything for Miss Isabelle, even if the woman won't divulge the reason for the trip. What Dorrie doesn't know is why Isabelle chose her for this task, or what awaits them in Ohio. Truth is, it doesn't matter. Dorrie could use a little vacay—all that time on the road will give her time to ponder her own troubles, while learning more about the enigmatic Isabelle McAllister.
The women make a strange pair—Isabelle's an elderly white widow, Dorrie's a black, single mom in her 30s. But, as the pair drive across the country, they discover they have more in common than not. And, as Dorrie hears the story of Isabelle's forbidden romance with the son of her family's black housekeeper during the early 1940s in a Kentucky town African-Americans weren't even allowed to step foot in after dark, she realizes that a little of Isabelle's courage might be just the thing she needs to conquer her own fears.
One glance at the cover of Calling Me Home, a debut novel by Julie Kibler, is all it took to convince me I needed to read this book. The plot summary just intrigued me more. It was the author's bio, though, that really sealed the deal. Why? Because, it explains that Isabelle's story grew out of a bit of Kibler family lore. How irresistible is that? Very. Even better, Calling Me Home lives up to its gorgeous cover and beguiling premise. It's warm, tender, vibrant, heart-breaking—everything a great story should be. Some of the plot "surprises" weren't all that surprising but still, this novel made me laugh, made me think, made me curse, made me cry. I loved it.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a little of The Help by Kathryn Stockett and Jericho Walls by Kristi Collier)
Grade: A-
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (no F-bombs), racial epithets, violence, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Saturday, June 01, 2013
After Third Book in Body Finder Series, I'm Feeling ... Lukewarm
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(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for The Last Echo, it may inadvertently spoil plot surprises from earlier Body Finder books. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
Violet Ambrose is used to keeping her special ability to match the "echoes" of a dead person and his/her killer under wraps. So, she's having a little trouble with the whole collaboration thing. Even among the other "special" teenagers who make up the investigation team of which Violet's now a part, she feels like a freak. The others all have their own brand of psychic power, but no one can do what she can. And yet, Violet wishes there was more she could do, something to stop murderers before they act, instead of just helping to catch them afterward.
There's one part of working with a team that's really messing with her ability to concentrate on the task—or crime—at hand. One person, actually: Rafe. Violet's felt a connection with the gorgeous bad boy ever since they met. He drives her crazy and yet, there's a literal spark that ignites whenever they're together. Violet's boyfriend, Jay Heaton, isn't too thrilled about the guy either. Which makes it all very awkward and confusing and ... distracting.
Violet can't afford to be focused on anything but the case she's investigating. A serial killer, dubbed "The Collector," is murdering college girls in the Seattle area. With no leads for the police to follow, it's up to Violet and her team to find out who's behind the killings. But, every step she takes toward the murderer brings her closer to a cold-blooded monster—one who thinks Violet Ambrose will make a perfect addition to his grisly collection. Can she find him before he finds her?
When I read the first of Kimberly Derting's Body Finder books, I could hardly contain my excitement for this thrilling new series. The second installment, however, dampened my enthusiasm quite a bit. With The Last Echo, the third book, I'm still feeling ... lukewarm. The idea that anyone who kills—whether in the line of duty, while hunting animals, on accident, or intentionally—forever carries with them imprints of their victims still fascinates me. It's a unique concept and, hands down, my favorite part about this series. The rest of it is starting too feel stale, like every other teenager-with-supernatural-powers-police-procedural. Sometimes I can forgive a same ole, same ole story if I absolutely adore the characters, but that's just not the case here. Still, I have to give Derting credit for writing fast-paced, entertaining mysteries, even if they're far-fetched and none too original.
(Readalikes: Other books in the Body Finder [The Body Finder; Desires of the Dead; Dead Silence) series by Kimberly Derting; also the Wake trilogy [Wake; Fade; Gone] by Lisa McMann)
Grade: C+
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for strong language (a few F-bombs, plus milder invectives), violence and sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: Another libraryfine find
To the FTC, with love: Another library
Friday, May 17, 2013
Out of My Mind An Important Story for Us All
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Melody Brooks hates being treated like an idiot. Just because the 10-year-old can't walk or talk doesn't mean she can't think. In fact, with her photographic memory, plus a sensory condition that makes her experience the world more fully than other people, Melody is probably the smartest kid in her elementary school. Too bad no one but her will ever know it. Most people, especially other children, can't see past Melody's wheelchair—they don't realize she's not just a gawk-worthy freak, but a real person with feelings, thoughts and ideas.
Without a way to communicate more complex sentences than "I'm hungry" or "I have to go to the bathroom," Melody's not sure how to share all the things brimming inside her mind. And it's making her crazy. She has so much to say, she just needs a way to get it all out. When an opportunity's presented that will allow Melody to do just that, she's ecstatic. A little terrified, too. What if people don't want to hear her thoughts and feelings? What if her classmates just make fun of her more? Can Melody find the courage to express herself, even if she says things no one else wants to hear? 
I read Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper not just because I loved its premise, but also because my 11-year-old daughter's been raving about how amazing it is. The book didn't blow me away quite as much as it did her—still, Out of My Mind offers an important and thought-provoking story about the assumptions we often make about people, especially children, with special needs. It also says a lot about the need for caring, positive teachers, doctors and therapists as well as parents who believe in their children no matter what limitations they might have. Out of My Mind is a novel for any child who's ever felt misunderstood and for any adult who's ever wondered what goes on inside the heads of the kids they're rearing and/or teaching. Really, it's a story for all of us.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of Wonder by R.J. Palacio)
Grade: B
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for subject matter most suited for kids 10 and over
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Out of My Mind at Deseret Book.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Birth Memoir Tackles Grief, Disappointment and Finding Beauty Where You Least Expect It
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Kelle Hampton is the kind of woman who plans things down to a T. Including the birth of a child. As her belly swelled in anticipation of her first baby's arrival, she wrestled with every last detail to ensure the event would go off perfectly. The 31-year-old knew who would be in the delivery room when her baby came (her husband and best girlfriends), what they would listen to while she pushed (carefully-selected birthing music), which outfit she would don while receiving visitors (a slinky nightgown and a tiara), and that she would distribute handmade party favors (yes, really) to everyone who stopped by to see the newborn. Everything about the day would be perfect. Absolutely flawless.
Then, Nella Cordelia arrived. With Down syndrome. And all of Kelle's work toward having the perfect birth experience with the perfect baby flew out the door. Because, despite her obsessive planning, the baby in her arms was far from the one Kelle had been expecting. Although she looked as pink and round as the healthiest infant, Nella carried an extra chromosome—and that made all the difference. As Kelle absorbed the devastating diagnosis, she went through every possible emotion. Bottom line: she had to learn to love her baby. The question was how to do so when she felt so scared, so let down, so helpless.
Kelle found the process so difficult that she poured out all of her feelings about it on a blog that became enormously popular. In 2012, her blog entries, along with dozens of family photos, were assembled and published as the best-selling memoir, Bloom. And it's a lovely book, in lots of ways. The photographs are striking, the prose stirring. The journey Kelle recounts feels so real and raw that it's almost as if it's happening right here, right now, to you. It's touching, no doubt about it. Because even as Kelle recalls even her ugliest thoughts and emotions, she does it with a sincerity that underscores her ultimate message—beauty can be discovered in even the most surprising packages.
Now, I admit that I almost set this book aside a few times. The prologue made me roll my eyes and wonder if I could really relate to an adult woman who wore a tiara while receiving visitors in the hospital. But I persevered. Later, as Kelle took two hundred pages to work through her grief and disappointment, I found myself more than a little irritated with her self-indulgent whining. It's eloquent whining, don't get me wrong, but since I'm more of an accept-what-you-can't-change-and-move-on kind of person, it grated on my nerves. As did Kelle's constant neediness. Still, I appreciated the honesty and passion with which Kelle told her story. And even though the book isn't really about the ins and outs of parenting a special needs child, it is about learning how to accept them, to nurture them, and to endow them with the fiercest, most empowering gift you can give them—your undying love. I can get behind that message, even if it comes from a whiny woman wearing a plastic tiara.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade: B
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (no F-bombs), and very mild sexual innuendo/content
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Bloom from the generous folks at Harper Collins via those at TLC Book Tours. Thank you!
Grade: B
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (no F-bombs), and very mild sexual innuendo/content
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Bloom from the generous folks at Harper Collins via those at TLC Book Tours. Thank you!
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Fast-Paced and Compelling, Crash Another Eerie Hit From McMann
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
For 16 years, Jules Demarco has led an unexceptional, even boring, little life. She drives a totally obnoxious, completely embarrassing food truck to school, always smells like pizza, has few friends and couldn't get Sawyer Angotti to notice her if she set herself on fire. As pathetic as all that seems, Jules wants it back. She craves normal, even if her normal kind of sucks. It's still better than the crazy she's going through now. Every time she glances at a billboard, window or t.v. screen, she sees a terrifying vision—a crash, flames engulfing a building, nine body bags lined up in the snow. Seeing things that aren't there can mean only two things: either she's certifiable or people she knows are going to die. Either way, she's screwed.
Jules can't tell anyone about the vision. Her family's under enough stress—they're struggling to keep their pizzeria open, dealing with Jules' father's obsessive hoarding, and just trying to survive from day-to-day. Jules refuses to add to the load they're already carrying. But what else can she do? As the vision becomes ever more intense, ever more consuming, Jules knows she has to warn the fire's victims. It's the only way to clear her head, the only way to (possibly) save the lives of nine people. The problem is convincing the Angottis, the family with whom the Demarcos have been feuding for more than a century, that something terrible's going to happen to them. The problem is doing it without sounding like a raving lunatic. The problem is saving the boy she's loved since First Grade without losing him completely. The problem is ... everything. Absolutely everything.
While I've enjoyed all of Lisa McMann's YA novels, I knew after a chapter or two that her newest, Crash, would end up being my favorite. And I was right. The novel, the first in a new series, keeps the eerie feel that all of McMann's teen books have, but lightens the tone quite a bit. Which is what made the difference for me. Crash just has a warmth to it that the other books don't. Jules' personality definitely contributes to that because even though she's plagued by numerous problems, she keeps her sense of humor. She's self-deprecating, loyal, and protective—all admirable qualities that contribute to her immense likability. And, while the idea of a teen using paranormal abilities to solve mysteries/save lives is nothing new in the YA genre, I thought Crash still had a hint of freshness to it. Overall, it's a fast-paced, engaging story that's compelling, entertaining and surprising (at least at the end). All that, for me, equaled a very enjoyable start to this new series. I'm excited to see where it goes from here!
(Readalikes: Reminded me of the Wake trilogy [Wake; Fade; Gone] by Lisa McMann and a bit of The Body Finder [The Body Finder; Desires of the Dead; The Last Echo; and Dead Silence] series by Kimberly Derting)
Grade: B
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for strong language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder invectives), sexual innuendo and scary images
To the FTC, with love: Another libraryfine find
While I've enjoyed all of Lisa McMann's YA novels, I knew after a chapter or two that her newest, Crash, would end up being my favorite. And I was right. The novel, the first in a new series, keeps the eerie feel that all of McMann's teen books have, but lightens the tone quite a bit. Which is what made the difference for me. Crash just has a warmth to it that the other books don't. Jules' personality definitely contributes to that because even though she's plagued by numerous problems, she keeps her sense of humor. She's self-deprecating, loyal, and protective—all admirable qualities that contribute to her immense likability. And, while the idea of a teen using paranormal abilities to solve mysteries/save lives is nothing new in the YA genre, I thought Crash still had a hint of freshness to it. Overall, it's a fast-paced, engaging story that's compelling, entertaining and surprising (at least at the end). All that, for me, equaled a very enjoyable start to this new series. I'm excited to see where it goes from here!
(Readalikes: Reminded me of the Wake trilogy [Wake; Fade; Gone] by Lisa McMann and a bit of The Body Finder [The Body Finder; Desires of the Dead; The Last Echo; and Dead Silence] series by Kimberly Derting)
Grade: B
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for strong language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder invectives), sexual innuendo and scary images
To the FTC, with love: Another library
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Authentic Virtuosity An Engaging Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Grammy-winning violinist Carmen Bianchi only wants one thing: to win the prestigious Guarneri music competition. The top prize includes serious cash, the use of an antique violin for four years, and performance opportunities all over the world. But it means even more to Carmen; for the 17-year-old, winning will prove to the world that she's a talented musician in her own right. Not just because her mother's a famous professional soprano.
Carmen would be a shoo-in if it weren't for Jeremy King, an English violinist who's also 17. Not only is he gorgeous, but he's the male version of Carmen—a child prodigy who's been winning music competitions practically since birth. Carmen can't stop thinking about him, obsessing over him. He's handsome, for sure, but is he, in fact, a better musician? She doesn't know. She does know he's an arrogant jerk—ho just happens to understand her better than anyone else. Carmen absolutely cannot let herself get distracted by Jeremy, the one person who could stand in the way of her fulfilling her fondest dream, but it's happening anyway ...
With Jeremy on the brain, Carmen can't focus. Keeping herself calm before the competition is hard enough—even with the anti-anxiety pills she pops like candy—but Jeremy's presence is making it downright impossible. Maybe that was his plan all along, or maybe Carmen just isn't cut out to be a professional musician. As the competition creeps closer and closer, she'll have to decide what her heart really wants—and needs.
Because Jessica Martinez herself was a child prodigy with the violin, Virtuosity has a very authentic feel to it. Carmen's the kind of character that speaks to every reader—despite being a world-class musician, she's self-deprecating, down-to-earth, and beset with feelings of inferiority and anxiety. It's easy to empathize with her, simple to cheer her on. The story moves along at a good clip, taking interesting turns that lead to intriguing subplots. To me, the ending felt a little unrealistic and abrupt. That, coupled with some irritating copy editing errors detracted from my reading experience; otherwise, I enjoyed Virtuosity. Not as much as I liked Martinez' second novel (The Space Between Us) but still, this one is a solid novel and an engaging read.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a bit of Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer)
Grade: B-
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for mild language (no F-bombs) and sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Friday, March 29, 2013
Virgin River or Thunder Point? Luckily, We Get Both.
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
It seems like I'm always talking about romance author Robyn Carr here at BBB. Simple explanation? I just love her. There's something about her books that speaks to me. Carr recently described the appeal of her novels thus:
"I think it's the sense of community and that combination of romance and women's fiction. I'm naturally drawn to strong, capable female characters ... It's very empowering to read about women like ourselves as the characters resolve the issues that threaten their happiness and peace of mind. It's also empowering to watch smart women choosing and falling in love with men of honor and integrity."
Yep, that's it. Given my love for all things Carr, it's not surprising that I turned a few (figurative) cartwheels when I found out about her new series. Not only is it Virgin River-ish, but it's set in a place that is close to my heart—the Oregon Coast. This new crop of characters all live in and around fictional Thunder Point, a small, tired town on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Although it's got its own rugged charm, the town isn't trendy like Seaside or Cannon Beach, so it struggles to attract the tourist dollars that run the bigger beachside towns. Still, Thunder Point is populated by a cast of good, down home folks who care about their friends and neighbors. It's a tight-knit place where people look after their own.
Helicopter pilot Hank Cooper isn't looking for a place to settle down. Even if he was, the 37-year-old would never choose a backwoods beach town like Thunder Point. All he wants to do is to park his fifth wheel in a pretty spot, spend some nice, long hours enjoying his toys, and move on to the next pretty spot. But when an old Army buddy dies in a suspicious fall, Hank heads to Oregon, intent on figuring out what happened to gentle Ben Bailey. In doing so, he discovers he's the sole beneficiary of Ben's will—Hank now owns his friend's grimy bait shop/bar/convenience store, as well as the surrounding land. It doesn't look like much, but as Hank soon finds out, there are people who would kill to get their hands on his late friend's beachfront property.
Although the smartest plan would probably be to set a match to the old bar, Hank decides to fix it up before selling it. Renovating will require staying in Thunder Point for a bit, which is okay by Hank. At least for now. After all, the more time he spends in the little town, the more it's growing on him. He's getting to know its good citizens—Mac, the deputy sheriff; Gina James, the woman who's so in love with Mac she can barely see straight; strange Rawley Goode, a vet with PTSD; and, of course, there's the beautiful Sarah Dupre and her slobbery mutt, Ham. They're all so big-hearted that Hank can hardly believe a murderer walks among them. But someone killed Ben, Hank's sure of it, he just has to figure out who's hiding homicidal tendencies under their harmless facade. That's becoming more and more difficult the more Hank gets involved in small-town life, the more Thunder Point starts to feel like home ...
The first of the Thunder Point novels, The Wanderer sets the stage for what will undoubtedly become another well-loved series by Robyn Carr. It has all the elements that have made her previous books so popular—warm prose, sympathetic characters, an atmospheric setting, and a vibrant community that espouses good, old-fashioned values. Plus, it's got a little mystery to help round out the plot. While my heart still tilts more Virgin River way, I'm definitely excited to spend some time in Thunder Point. With two more books coming out this year (The Newcomer in June and The Hero in August), it will be quality time, indeed.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Carr's Virgin River and Grace Valley series)
Grade: B
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for strong language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder invectives), sexual content/innuendo, and mild violence
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Wanderer from the fabulous and always generous Robyn Carr. Thank you!
Saturday, February 23, 2013
An Enjoyable Book for Mothers and Daughters? Voilá! Guilt Assuaged.
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
The readers in my family constantly complain that I never take their reading recommendations. When I open my mouth to protest these vicious accusations, I often realize they're right. It's not that I don't respect their opinions—it's really not—it's just that I often have more pressing reading assignments to which I have to attend. Still, I have guilt. Lots of guilt. So, a couple weeks ago, when my 11-year-old daughter asked me to read the first book in one of her favorite series, I saw a golden opportunity to redeem myself. And, while The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick didn't knock my socks off or anything, I'm glad I read it, if only so my young reader knows that I do value her opinion. Very much.
The story revolves around four 6th grade girls in Concord, Massachusetts, who are thrown together when their moms decide to organize a mother-daughter book club. Emma Hawthorne—who comes from a bookish family and wants to be a writer when she grows up—is okay with the idea. In theory. In fact, if her best friend's mother hadn't traipsed off to New York City to star in a soap opera, it might even be a fun thing for her and Jess Delaney to do with their moms. But, for now, Jess only has a father, so awkward doesn't even begin to describe the situation. Then, there are the other girls: Megan Wong is a middle school A-lister, whose friends delight in making life miserable for girls like Emma and Jess, and Cassidy Sloane's a mischievous tomboy who can't talk about anything but sports. How are four such different girls supposed to get along long enough to choose a book, let alone meet every month to discuss it?
Plenty of ups and downs mark the girls' lives as the year moves on. And the silly book club isn't making things any better. Or is it? As the group continues to read and talk about Little Women, they learn some surprising truths about each other—and themselves.
First off, I have to say that I love the idea behind this series. It's a lot of fun. The story in this first installment reflects that because, while it does deal with things like bullying and parental criticism, it remains both upbeat and lighthearted. Frederick provides plenty of laughs to offset the more serious parts of the plot. I did find the characters in The Mother-Daughter Book Club a little cliche, the writing a bit bumpy, and the ending way, way, way too neatly tied up. Overall, though, it's a cute book that teaches some good lessons about family, friendship and the power of forgiveness. My daughter has already stacked the next four MDBC books on my desk—and I plan to read them. If the first installment is any indication, they're fast, fun novels that can be enjoyed by mothers and daughters alike. Voilá! Guilt assuaged.
(Readalikes: Other books in The Mother-Daughter Book Club series)
Grade: B-
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for nothing offensive—the book is just geared toward readers aged about 9-12
To the FTC, with love: I borrowed The Mother-Daughter Book Club from my daughter's personal library. I believe she got it from her school librarian as a prize for reading lots of books (must be genetic :]).
Monday, February 18, 2013
Gentle Family Drama Sprinkled With Pure Magic
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
There are many things 39-year-old Abby Brink doesn't know about her father—like where he's been for the last 40 years and why he left in the first place. She's heard stories about him all her life. Some of them can only be myths, made-up tales to explain the great emptiness her mother's felt ever since Sam Winston disappeared. Because, surely, the skies don't weep over human folly and walnut trees don't stop producing fruit when their favorite son vanishes, never to return. These things can't be true, but Abby believes them because she, too, has a Sam-shaped hole in her heart.When Abby finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, she doesn't know how to feel. It's not that she doesn't want a child, it's only that she thought her time had passed. Like her relationship with the baby's father. Not knowing what else to do, she heads home to Missouri. She craves the quiet and calm she can only find at Walnut Ridge, the land once owned by the Winston Family, now cared for by Abby's mother, Gretchen.
But, a mysterious tornado blows in just ahead of Abby, leaving something odd in its wake: a man. The stranger can't remember who he is or how he arrived in Walnut Ridge. Abby, Gretchen and Gretchen's blind aunts are all convinced he's Sam Winston. Others believe he's a con man, out to steal Gretchen's heart, along with her land. Is the man really Sam, or are the women just seeing what they want to see? And if it is Sam, will he reveal the damning secret Gretchen's been keeping all this time? What will happen if the truth comes out? Can Gretchen survive having her heart ripped apart again? Can Abby?
There's much to praise about Susan McBride's newest novel, The Truth About Love and Lightning. First, there are the complex, but relatable characters; then, the vivid, atmospheric setting; also the story's gentle, engaging tone; and, of course, the mysticism that lends an otherworldly magic to this compelling family drama. I pretty much adored everything about the book. It kept me reading, it kept me hoping, it kept me smiling, it kept me believing. If you enjoy uplifting stories that renew your faith in the powers of family, forgiveness and love, then this is most certainly the book for you. Give it a whirl and you'll see what I mean.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can really think of anything. Can you?)
Grade: B+
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (no F-bombs) and mild sexual content/innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The Truth About Love and Lightning from the generous folks at Harper Collins. Thank you!
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Slow, Snore of a Story Too Dull For My Tastes
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Still reeling from the unexpected death of his mother, the last thing 13-year-old Jack Baker wants is to be shipped off to boarding school. But that's exactly what has happened. Jack longs for Kansas and the home he's left behind. Maine just isn't the same. Even with his Navy captain father stationed nearby, Jack couldn't feel more adrift. It's not like he really knows his father—a strict man who's been fighting in the European Theater for the last four years—but he'd rather be in Kansas with him than living on the shores of the Atlantic with a bunch of boys he doesn't know. Jack's mother would have listened to his concerns; his father doesn't care.
It doesn't take long for Jack to realize he'll never quite fit in at Morton Hill Academy for Boys. He's a hick, who gets nauseous just looking at the ocean. Boats are as foreign to him as the moon—he certainly doesn't know how to row like the other boys. And that's just the most noticeable difference between him and the others. When Jack meets Early Auden, a strange kid who's mostly ignored by Morton Hill's staff and student body, he knows he's finally made a friend. No one else hangs out with this oddest of boys, but with Early, Jack feels tolerated, if not accepted.
When Early hatches a crazy plan to track an (allegedly) extinct bear, Jack wonders if his new pal might be not just weird, but actually insane. And yet, Jack finds himself following his crazy friend on a wild adventure along the Appalachian Trail. On the way, they'll encounter pirates, mountain men, and all sorts of other strange characters. Will they locate the great Appalachian bear? Or will the startling truths they discover about themselves be enough of a treasure to satisfy the young adventurers?
The best words I can think of to describe Navigating Early, a new middle grade novel by the Newbery Award-winning Clare Vanderpool, are the same adjectives with which the boys of Morton Hill labeled Early—strange, odd, weird, etc. It really is a different kind of book, one that I'm just not sure its target audience is going to appreciate. The story starts slowly, drags through the middle, and finally picks up at the end. The question is, will young readers stick around that long? Because, like I said, it's a strange little book. And the tale pretty much centers around math. I mean, its real themes are friendship, loyalty and overcoming grief, but there's a lot of talk about the number pi. Odd for a children's book. The writing itself isn't bad, it's just that the story scoots along at such a snail's pace that I grew bored with it very quickly. Honestly, if I hadn't been reading it as part of my volunteer work at my kids' school, I wouldn't have gotten past the first couple chapters. I just can't imagine young readers seeing it through to the end either.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a little of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain)
Grade: C+
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for scary images and violence
To the FTC, with love: I borrowed a copy of Navigating Early from my children's elementary school library as part of my volunteer work with the school's homegrown reading program.
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