2025 Bookish Books Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)
2025 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)
2025 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge
2025 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge
Booklist Queen's 2025 Reading Challenge
2025 52 Club Reading Challenge
2025 Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge
2025 Medical Examiner Mystery Reading Challenge
2025 Mystery Marathon Reading Challenge
2025 Mount TBR Reading Challenge
2025 Pick Your Poison Reading Challenge
2025 Around the Year in 52 Books Reading Challenge
The 100 Most Common Last Names in the U.S. Reading Challenge
The Life Skills Reading Challenge
Showing posts with label Adult Novels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adult Novels. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
I Can't Explain It, But I Loved It
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Some books are impossible to describe. Judging from the skimpy plot summary, even the publisher had a tough time explaining Dark Matter, the newest book by Blake Crouch. I'm not even going to attempt it because like I said ... impossible.
“Are you happy with your life?” Those are the last words Jason Dessen hears before the masked abductor knocks him unconscious. Before he awakens to find himself strapped to a gurney, surrounded by strangers in hazmat suits. Before a man Jason’s never met smiles down at him and says, “Welcome back, my friend.” In this world he’s woken up to, Jason’s life is not the one he knows. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born. And Jason is not an ordinary college physics professor, but a celebrated genius who has achieved something remarkable. Something impossible. Is it this world or the other that’s the dream? And even if the home he remembers is real, how can Jason possibly make it back to the family he loves? The answers lie in a journey more wondrous and horrifying than anything he could’ve imagined—one that will force him to confront the darkest parts of himself even as he battles a terrifying, seemingly unbeatable foe. Dark Matter is a brilliantly plotted tale that is at once sweeping and intimate, mind-bendingly strange and profoundly human—a relentlessly surprising science-fiction thriller about choices, paths not taken, and how far we’ll go to claim the lives we dream of.Maybe I can't tell you exactly what Dark Matter is about, but I can tell you that I loved it. Why? It's unique, it's surprising, it's intriguing, it's engrossing, it's impossible to put down. In a word: stunning. I devoured the book, reading well into the night to see what would happen to Jason Dossen. If you like mind-bending sci fi adventure stories, this one's for you.
(Readalikes: Honestly, nothing I've ever read comes to mind!)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, sexual content, and depictions of illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Depressing, Disconnected Novel a Disappointing Delve Into a Fascinating Subject
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
After her mother dies, 32-year-old Samantha receives a box filled with the dead woman's keepsakes. Sam is stunned to find, among them, evidence that her mother's childhood was much different than her mother ever let on. In fact, a young Violet White was placed on an orphan train in 1900. Stunned by this news, Sam longs to know her mother's real story.
In alternating chapters, the dead woman's tale is told. It's a sad one, a story of poverty and abandonment sent against a grimy New York City background. As Sam contrasts her own rocky relationship with motherhood with her mother's experience, she comes to understand some truths about herself and her family.
It's difficult to describe Mercy Train by Rae Meadows because it's a very episodic novel, without a lot of connectivity between elements. Except for the orphan children, the characters are not very sympathetic. I didn't feel connected to any of them, which made the whole story seem distant. Perhaps this was done on purpose to reinforce the book's disconnection theme? If so, it's not a storytelling device I enjoy. The book also ended oddly, not pulling things together in a satisfying way. All of this combined with the overall depressing nature of the novel just made it a difficult read for me. I find the subject of orphan trains fascinating, but Mercy Train simply did not do it justice. In the end, I found the book a depressing slog. Ah, well.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline; We Rode the Orphan Trains by Andrea Warren; and a little of Wanderville by Wendy McClure)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a dozen or so F-bombs plus milder expletives), violence, and mature subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Friday, April 24, 2015
Forbidden Romance Leads to Violence in Thrilling, Thought-Provoking Culture Clash Novel
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Thanks to an athletic scholarship, Shahid Satar has been in the U.S. for three years studying business at a college in Massachusetts. A starter on Enright's men's squash team, the Pakistani knows the importance of bonding with the other players, most of whom hail from countries as foreign as his. He's also learned to tune out the jeers and racist slurs often hurled at himself and his mostly dark-skinned teammates. It's all part of the culture clash he experiences every day as an international student at a liberal American school. He's used to it by now.
The experience, however, is all new for Afia Satar, Shahid's 19-year-old sister. Because of Shahid's promise to guard her honor, the young Pashtun woman has been allowed to study in the U.S. as well, although she attends a nearby women's college instead of her brother's co-ed school. Despite the wild Western ways she encounters daily, Afia remains as she always has been—shy, studious, modest and mostly obedient to the traditional rules of her religion and culture. She's not without her secrets, however. Her brother does not know—cannot ever know—about Afia's shameful grocery store job or about her increasingly intimate relationship with his redheaded American teammate. The latter is dangerous, much more so than earnest Gus Schnieder realizes.
When an innocent photo of Afia and Gus turns up on the Internet, it sets off a series of explosive reactions, especially from Afia's jihad-obsessed stepbrother. Embarrassed and furious by his sister's betrayal of his trust, Shahid worries how far his family in Pakistan will require him to go to avenge Afia's honor. Afia fears not just for Gus, but also for her own life—and rightly so. As events come to a terrifying head, she must face the deadly consequences of falling in love with the wrong man, in the wrong country, in the wrong way. Will things ever be right for her again?
A Sister to Honor by Lucy Ferriss is a heartbreaking novel about the often violent clash between Eastern and Western cultures. It's a book about honor, with all its various definitions. Mostly, though, it's a story about family, friendship, and giving up everything for a chance to live a different kind of life. Although the tension builds slowly, the tale soon becomes a taut thriller, as horrifying as it is pulse-pounding. Told from various viewpoints, A Sister to Honor is a compelling novel with intriguing, sympathetic characters; a timely, complex conflict; and an engrossing, well-crafted plot. My only complaint is that the characters' roles/actions seemed to reinforce all the common clichés about Pakistani and Islamic culture. I don't pretend to know anything about either, but I still would have liked a broader perspective on both. Despite that, I enjoyed this thrilling, thought-provoking read.
(Readalikes: Reminded me a little of Skunk Girl by Sheba Karim)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, violence, sexual content and depictions of underage drinking and illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of A Sister to Honor from the generous folks at Penguin. Thank you!
Thursday, March 05, 2015
If I Had To Choose a Favorite Morton Novel, It Would Probably Be This One ...
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
On a lazy summer afternoon in the English countryside, 16-year-old Laurel Nicolson hides in her backyard treehouse. High above her seeking sisters she lounges, dreaming of her secret boyfriend and the rendezvous they've planned for the evening. In that moment, anything—and everything—seems possible.
Laurel has no idea just how much this ordinary afternoon will change her life until she spies a stranger in her yard. Unseen by him or her mother, Laurel witnesses a shocking crime that throws everything she knows about her family and their seemingly perfect home life into question. Unable to process what it all means, Laurel flees to London, with no intention of ever going back.
Fifty years later, Laurel's sisters are organizing a birthday party for their mother, who is turning 90. Reluctantly returning to her childhood home, Laurel vows to finally get the truth about what happened that long ago summer afternoon. Her mother's frail, with a memory that's fading fast—it's now or never. As Laurel probes for answers, she learns the incredible story of three people, whose lives intertwine in ways that will change all of them forever.
Considering the fact that I've raved about every book she's ever written, it's not going to surprise you that I loved The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton. The Australian author just knows how to write the kind of stories that capture not only my attention, but also my heart. Her family sagas are full of everything I look for in a novel—rich, atmospheric settings; complex, empathetic characters; intriguing, mystery-filled plot lines; and vivid, flowing prose. I adore all her books, but The Secret Keeper might be my favorite of them all. Really, the only complaint I have with this author is that she writes too slowly (although she does have a new book coming out in October).
(Readalikes: Kate Morton's other books—The House at Riverton, The Forgotten Garden, and The Distant Hours)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of The Secret Keeper at Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Wednesday, March 04, 2015
Luminous Station Eleven A Unique Post-Apocalyptic Must-Read
(Image from author's website)
On an otherwise ordinary winter's night in Toronto, Canada, a famous actor dies onstage during a performance of King Lear. Jeevan Chaudhary, a papparazzo turned EMT, rushes from his seat in the audience to pump the man's heart back into action. He fails, while Kristen Raymonde, an 8-year-old actress, looks on in horror. The night is memorable not just for the actor's death, but because it's the night a devastating flu epidemic begins to spread with deadly speed. The carnage is only beginning.
Fifteen years later, Kristen is traveling the ruined, post-apocalyptic world with a band of actors and musicians. For them, life isn't just about survival, it's about preserving the art and music that once flourished all around them. It's about sharing beauty, spreading joy even in desperate circumstances. Risking their own safety, the Traveling Symphony performs concerts and plays in makeshift settlements all around the Great Lakes region. While the area is mostly safe, danger always lurks around the corner in this strange, new land.
As the Traveling Symphony encounters a chilling menace, the tale sweeps back and forth in time, filling in the back stories of the main players. As their pasts and presents intertwine, it's their relationships that sustain them, their bravery that saves them, and their desire for a life beyond mere survival that elevates them.
It's tough to describe the plot of Station Eleven, Emily St. John Mandel's award-winning novel. It's even harder to explain its luminous, elegiac beauty. To say it's unique, different from other post-apocalyptic stories, just doesn't seem quite adequate. It's true, though. Most dystopians rely heavily on dramatic plot surprises to keep the reader turning pages—Station Eleven leans on its characters. They're complex enough, interesting enough, to command the reader's attention all on their own. It's the discovery of who the characters are at heart, plus finding the clever twists of fate that connect them that makes this novel such a pleasure to read. I wish I could capture the magic of this book in words, but I just can't. Luckily, there's an easy (and enjoyable) solution—Read Station Eleven for yourself.
It's tough to describe the plot of Station Eleven, Emily St. John Mandel's award-winning novel. It's even harder to explain its luminous, elegiac beauty. To say it's unique, different from other post-apocalyptic stories, just doesn't seem quite adequate. It's true, though. Most dystopians rely heavily on dramatic plot surprises to keep the reader turning pages—Station Eleven leans on its characters. They're complex enough, interesting enough, to command the reader's attention all on their own. It's the discovery of who the characters are at heart, plus finding the clever twists of fate that connect them that makes this novel such a pleasure to read. I wish I could capture the magic of this book in words, but I just can't. Luckily, there's an easy (and enjoyable) solution—Read Station Eleven for yourself.
(Readalikes: Um, I can't really think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder invectives), violence, depictions of illegal drug use, and mild sexual innuendo/content
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Station Eleven from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Tuesday, March 03, 2015
Odd, Disquieting Grief Novel Tells a Thought-Provoking Story
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
To celebrate Greta Woodrow's seventh birthday, her parents take her and her younger brother to the circus. When Mike the Clown asks for a volunteer from the audience, all the Woodrows are shocked that James raises his hand. The five-year-old is painfully shy, so much so that his mother is considering therapy for the odd child. The family is even more astonished when James seems to be not just comfortable onstage, but also an effortless crowd pleaser. When, for his final act, Mike the Clown makes James disappear, the audience roars its approval.
The Woodrows can't wait to congratulate their son on his brilliant performance. They wait for him to join them in the lobby. And wait. And wait. And wait. James is nowhere to be found. Mike the Clown insists he never saw the boy after the big finale. A search of the theater produces no clues. James Woodrow has simply disappeared.
As the days wear on with no sign of the missing child, the Woodrow Family slowly falls to pieces. Greta knows it's up to her to find out what happened to her brother. She uses her vivid imagination to conjure up scenarios that help her cope with the loss. Still, the questions linger: Where is James? Did someone kidnap him or did he truly disappear in a puff of magical smoke?
The Disapparation of James by Anne Ursu starts with a simple question: What if a circus vanishing act really worked? The unsettling inquiry offers a fresh avenue for exploring the effects of loss on a normal, everyday family. Still, this isn't not your average grief book—The Disapparation of James is undeniably odd. It's also depressing. Overall, though, it's a well-written, character-driven novel that brings something new to the table. I didn't love it, but I found it very thought-provoking.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language and violence
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Monday, March 02, 2015
Brilliantly Crafted Big Little Lies Lives Up to the Hype
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
The back cover copy for Big Little Lies, Liane Moriarty's bestselling novel, describes the book so perfectly that I'm not even going to try to put my own spin on it. I'm just going to give it to you straight:
Sometimes it’s the little lies that turn out to be the most lethal. . . .
A murder… . . . a tragic accident… . . . or just parents behaving badly?
What’s indisputable is that someone is dead.But who did what?
Big Little Lies follows three women, each at a crossroads:Madeline is a force to be reckoned with. She’s funny and biting, passionate, she remembers everything and forgives no one. Her ex-husband and his yogi new wife have moved into her beloved beachside community, and their daughter is in the same kindergarten class as Madeline’s youngest (how is this possible?). And to top it all off, Madeline’s teenage daughter seems to be choosing Madeline’s ex-husband over her. (How. Is. This. Possible?).Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare. While she may seem a bit flustered at times, who wouldn’t be, with those rambunctious twin boys? Now that the boys are starting school, Celeste and her husband look set to become the king and queen of the school parent body. But royalty often comes at a price, and Celeste is grappling with how much more she is willing to pay.New to town, single mom Jane is so young that another mother mistakes her for the nanny. Jane is sad beyond her years and harbors secret doubts about her son. But why? While Madeline and Celeste soon take Jane under their wing, none of them realizes how the arrival of Jane and her inscrutable little boy will affect them all.
Big Little Lies is a brilliant take on ex-husbands and second wives, mothers and daughters, schoolyard scandal, and the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves just to survive.
You've probably seen all the rave reviews this novel's gotten ever since it was published last year. I'm always a little hesitant to trust hype, but in this case? Believe it. Big Little Lies is a hilarious, heartbreaking, spot-on story about the lengths to which we will go to protect our fragile images from the prying eyes of others. It's compelling, compulsively readable, and a lot deeper than it seems on the surface. Brilliantly crafted, Big Little Lies is one of those novels that simply should not be missed.
(Readalikes: I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
(Readalikes: I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, sexual content, and violence
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Easy, Breezy, Beach-y Romance An Enjoyable Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Lila Alders has it all: a steady job as the host of a late-night television program, a large, lavish home, the perfect husband, and a loving set of parents who dote on their only child. Then, in the blink of an eye, most of it vanishes. Grieving the loss of her father, the collapse of her marriage, and the end of her career, the 29-year-old has no idea what to do with herself. Her sudden cash flow problem leaves Lila little choice but to move in with her widowed mother.
Hoping to lay low and lick her wounds under the guise of helping her mom, Lila soon realizes that there is no hiding for the former golden girl of Black Dog Bay, Delaware. Everywhere she looks, she sees old friends, former classmates, and a small army of ex-boyfriends. Lila longs to start fresh, but how can she when her old life is staring her in the face every single day?
When Lila discovers her parents' fortune has disappeared, forcing the sale of their beloved seaside home, she knows it's time to take drastic action. Money has to start flowing—and soon—or the Alders women will be living on the street. Lila has no idea how to manage a business, but opening a vintage clothing store seems to be an answer to their problems. Although the plan leads to some major challenges, it also teaches Lila some of the biggest, most surprising lessons of her life. It also guides her toward a boy whose existence she barely registered in high school who's somehow becoming the man she can't forget—not even for a minute.
Lila knows the time is ripe for taking chances, but is she willing to risk everything, even her fragile heart, for a life she never imagined? Even if it might be the one she's been after all along?
I don't read a lot of romance novels, but I do find something alluring about a good shattered-woman- returns-to-her-hometown-to-start-over story. Sure, they're cliché and overdone and, yet, apparently, I'm a fan. Which explains why the premise of New Uses for Old Boyfriends by Beth Kendrick appealed to me. Not surprisingly, I enjoyed the book. It's warm, funny, upbeat, and just a fun, fluffy read. Yes, it's predictable. Yes, things go too smoothly for our heroine. Yes, it's unrealistic. No, I don't care. When it comes to easy, breezy chick lit, I just want an entertaining story. New Uses for Old Boyfriends fits the bill quite nicely, thank you very much.
(Readalikes: the first Black Dog Bay book, Cure for the Common Breakup by Beth Kendrick; also reminds me of Robyn Carr's Virgin River and Thunder Point books)
Grade:
Hoping to lay low and lick her wounds under the guise of helping her mom, Lila soon realizes that there is no hiding for the former golden girl of Black Dog Bay, Delaware. Everywhere she looks, she sees old friends, former classmates, and a small army of ex-boyfriends. Lila longs to start fresh, but how can she when her old life is staring her in the face every single day?
When Lila discovers her parents' fortune has disappeared, forcing the sale of their beloved seaside home, she knows it's time to take drastic action. Money has to start flowing—and soon—or the Alders women will be living on the street. Lila has no idea how to manage a business, but opening a vintage clothing store seems to be an answer to their problems. Although the plan leads to some major challenges, it also teaches Lila some of the biggest, most surprising lessons of her life. It also guides her toward a boy whose existence she barely registered in high school who's somehow becoming the man she can't forget—not even for a minute.
Lila knows the time is ripe for taking chances, but is she willing to risk everything, even her fragile heart, for a life she never imagined? Even if it might be the one she's been after all along?
I don't read a lot of romance novels, but I do find something alluring about a good shattered-woman- returns-to-her-hometown-to-start-over story. Sure, they're cliché and overdone and, yet, apparently, I'm a fan. Which explains why the premise of New Uses for Old Boyfriends by Beth Kendrick appealed to me. Not surprisingly, I enjoyed the book. It's warm, funny, upbeat, and just a fun, fluffy read. Yes, it's predictable. Yes, things go too smoothly for our heroine. Yes, it's unrealistic. No, I don't care. When it comes to easy, breezy chick lit, I just want an entertaining story. New Uses for Old Boyfriends fits the bill quite nicely, thank you very much.
(Readalikes: the first Black Dog Bay book, Cure for the Common Breakup by Beth Kendrick; also reminds me of Robyn Carr's Virgin River and Thunder Point books)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (1 F-bomb, plus milder invectives), sexual innuendo, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of New Uses for Old Boyfriends from the generous folks at Penguin via those at BookSparks PR. Thank you!
Friday, February 06, 2015
Dystopian-Horror-Psychological Thriller Mash Up Makes For a Nice, If Terrifying, Blend
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Something has been unleashed on the unsuspecting world. Something that makes people turn, causing them to lash out like feral, bloodthirsty animals. A mere glance at the monster is all it takes. Violent, horrific deaths are always—always—the result. The few people who are left know there's only one way to survive in a world gone mad: blind. Wearing blindfolds at all times, they must learn to navigate the treacherous new landscape using their less finely-tuned senses. But while they're vigilant about protecting their eyes, there's no way to safeguard their even more delicate minds ...
Malorie, the young mother of 4-year-old twins, knows its time for her to leave the abandoned house in Detroit where she's been hiding for the past four years. She's heard of a safe house for refugees like herself. For the sake of her children, she knows she must get them all there. Against every instinct—everything she's been taught about survival—Malorie leaves the house to brave the vast, unknown world. Blindfolded against the terrifying presence that stalks them at all times, the trio must make a long, death-defying journey that they can only hope will lead to safety.
While Bird Box by singer/songwriter Josh Malerman might seem to be just another run-of-the-mill horror/dystopian, it definitely brings something new to the table. The whole blindness thing takes it to a different level, giving the novel a psychological thriller aspect that sets it apart. Something about never knowing quite who/what your enemy is (Human? Monster? A figment of your overwrought imagination?) makes this story so much more terrifying than others I've read. If you're down for a taut, horrifying read, pick this one up—just make sure you leave the lights on :)
(Readalikes: Hm, nothing is coming to mind. Ideas?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence/gore, intense situations and depictions of illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Monday, January 19, 2015
New Historical Nothing Special (And I Want Special, Dang It!) [With a Giveaway]
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Julia Barrett's been in love with handsome, wealthy Adam Wolcott since the two were kids. Once they marry, she'll be living her dream come true. Even though he's been absent from Niagara, New York, with nary a word to his fiancé, Julia's ready to trust him with the rest of her life. The time away has changed Adam—everyone can see that, even if he refuses to talk about it—but Julia trusts him implicitly. Doesn't she?
While Adam keeps his secrets, Julia's got a few of her own. One is her conversion to Mormonism. Her family intends to stay for Julia's wedding, then head West. She wouldn't mind going with them. The other is the 7-year-old girl who's hiding in Julia's house. As the sole witness to the murders of her parents and brother, Penny is wanted by the notorious Murphy Gang. Long-time conductors for the Underground Railroad, the Barretts are used to hiding fugitive slaves, but this situation is especially precarious. Julia longs to share these complications with the man she loves, so why is she hesitating? Is it because she fears he might be caught up with the Murphy Gang? Or does it have something to do with the sudden appearance of Tom Harrison, a charismatic Mormon magician? With Adam pressuring her to marry him, Julia must decide where her loyalties lie. Can she follow her heart, even if it's leading her away from everything she's always wanted?
Despite its exotic setting, there's not a lot about Betrayed, a new historical novel by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen, that's truly original. With cookie cutter characters, humdrum dialogue, and a plot that winds here and there without really coming together, it gets tedious. I did appreciate the setting—which came alive for me more than anything else in the book—as well as the clean, uplifting (but not preachy) nature of the story. Still, I didn't love it. Betrayed isn't a horrible book, not at all, it's just kind of ... average. Nothing special. And, doggone it, I wanted special! Ah, well.
(Readalikes: Hm, nothing's coming to mind. Ideas?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Betrayed from the generous folks at Covenant in exchange for my participation in the book's blog tour. Thank you!
For more opinions about Betrayed, please visit these other fine blogs:
*http://mybookaday.blogspot.
*http://minreadsandreviews.
If you'd like a chance to win your own copy of the book, enter here:
Thursday, January 15, 2015
What Is Found, What Is Lost: Good Bones, Clumsy Construction
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When her husband dies after a battle with cancer, 62-year-old Fredrika "Freddie" Chase isn't sure where to turn for solace. Her mother, a fanatic whose devotion to God has always eclipsed her attention to her daughters, has put Freddie off religion, probably for good. She's already feeling at odds with the world when her combative daughter—an exotic dancer in Vegas—decides to move back home. With Beth and her 5-year-old son in residence, Freddie's house feels less empty, but more fraught with tension. Especially when men start showing up to see Beth.
While trying to mend her broken relationship with Beth, Freddie examines the tumultuous one she had with her own mother. Exploring the life of her maternal grandmother lends some understanding. Also more questions.
When a crisis brings Freddie to her sister's door, it's a chance for the two of them to make peace with their shared past. As they try to wrestle some sense out of the actions of the women in their maternal line, they seek answers that will help them all move on. Finally.
The plot of What Is Found, What Is Lost, a debut novel by Anne Leigh Parrish, is impossible to describe. Why? Because it really doesn't have one. Told in the voices of four generations of women, the story's a family saga. However, it's more like back story than actual story. While the characters were both empathetic and interesting, I found the lot of them sad and depressing. Without a central plotline to tie all of their stories together, the novel just felt clumsy. It has good bones, that's for sure, but the execution left a lot to be desired. Bummer.
(Readalikes: Nothing really comes to mind.)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder invectives), sexual content, and violence
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of What Is Found, What Is Lost from the generous folks at BookSparks PR. Thank you!
Monday, January 12, 2015
Chilling Needful Things Is King at His Twisted, Depraved Best
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
There was a time—not so many moons ago—when reading in public was the fastest way to get your teenage self labeled a nerd. And, unlike today, nerdy definitely did not equal cool. Nobody bragged about being a nerd, nobody tried to be a nerd, nobody wanted to be a nerd. Including me. Thus, even though I was as voracious a reader in high school as I am now, I never committed the unpardonable sin of reading a book where I might be seen by one of my peers. Unless, of course, it was authored by Stephen King. He was cool. Reading his horror-filled stories was cool. Therefore, back in the day, I read a lot of King. These days, I have trouble stomaching his particular brand of storytelling, although I admit I still find his books compelling. Still, I can only digest him at the rate of one book every few years.
At Halloween-time (I did mention that I'm a *little* behind on reviews, right?), I got a hankering for some old-school King. So, I picked up Needful Things, a story that had stuck in my head more from watching the 1993 film version than from reading the book. The premise of the novel is brilliant in its eerie simplicity: A mysterious new shop opens in small-town Maine. Its inventory—incredibly enough—includes the very trinkets most desired by the good folk of Castle Rock. Normally, such treasures would not be attainable on the townspeople's modest salaries, but Leland Gaunt, the shop's inscrutable owner, is always willing to negotiate. All he requires of eager shoppers is a small, "harmless" trick played on a neighbor. It's nothing serious, Mr. Gaunt assures them, just good, clean fun. A trifle, a bargain, a small price to pay to possess your heart's desire.
Of course, as the townspeople soon discover, Mr. Gaunt's prices might be irresistible, but they're never small. He takes your charity, your dignity, your sanity—and then, he takes your soul ...
As chilling and depraved as Stephen King's novels always are, they're also undeniably engrossing. The horror master creates full, rounded characters, then shoves them into tense, high-risk situations that beg the question, "What's going to happen?" Good luck bailing before you find out! Needful Things, one of King's best in my opinion, is no exception. Although the story starts quietly, things get awfully intense awfully quick. I cared about the cast, so I stuck around to see what happened to them. Even though I wanted to stop reading at certain points, I never did. I couldn't. Such is the seductive charm of Mr. King and his warped (but very imaginative) mind! Needful Things showcases his talent for characterization, plot intensity, and revealing evil in all its various forms. If you're a King fan, you don't want to miss this one.
(Readalikes: King's other Castle Rock stories [The Dead Zone; Cujo; The Dark Half; etc.] have related characters and a similar writing style, though different subject matter)
Grade:
If this were a movie (and it is!), it would be rated:
for strong language, violence, blood/gore, sexual content, and depictions of illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I bought Needful Things with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Another Spunky Kagen Narrator = Another Series to Love
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
With their daddy recently deceased, it's Tess and Birdie against the world. Or, at least against their mother. Beautiful, bitter Louise has never quite understood her daughters, whom the neighbors have labeled the "Finley ghouls." If she gets wind of Birdie's newest quirk—believing her father is not dead at all, just living it up in Boca Raton—Louise is sure to lock her younger, slower daughter up in the insane asylum for good. Which is why Tess has to convince Birdie of the truth. Their lighthearted, jokester of a dad is dead. No one knows that better than Tess; after all, she's the one who killed him.
Filled with grief and fear, young Tess must use all her (considerable) pluck and grit to save her aggravating, but beloved little sister. She believes she's on her own until help comes along in the most unlikely of forms ...
With her warm prose and spunky characters, Lesley Kagen has quickly written her way into my heart. I've loved all of the books I've read by her. So, really, it's no surprise that I adored The Undertaking of Tess as well. Although it's just a novella, the story overflows with bright, vivid life. Tess is my favorite kind of child narrator—not only is she funny, brave, and loyal (at least to her sister), but she is authentically so. Seen through her innocent eyes, her story rings ever more true, ever more heart-wrenching, ever more hopeful.
I missed the Finley sisters the minute I finished this novella. Thankfully, Kagen continues their story in her new novel, The Resurrection of Tess Blessing. I seriously can't wait to see what happens to Tess next!
(Readalikes: The Resurrection of Tess Blessing as well as Whistling in the Dark and Good Graces, all by Lesley Kagen)
Grade:
I missed the Finley sisters the minute I finished this novella. Thankfully, Kagen continues their story in her new novel, The Resurrection of Tess Blessing. I seriously can't wait to see what happens to Tess next!
(Readalikes: The Resurrection of Tess Blessing as well as Whistling in the Dark and Good Graces, all by Lesley Kagen)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs) and sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I bought a finished copy of The Undertaking of Tess with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Sad, But Hopeful Tale a Satisfying Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Living and working in a mining town comes with a certain amount of risk. Everyone knows what could happen, but no one ever expects it to really happen. Until it does. In Swandyke, Colorado, a small town near Tenmile Ridge, the inevitable occurs on an otherwise ordinary Spring day in 1920. Just as the schoolchildren are heading home for the day, a split of snow cracks off the mountain, creating an avalanche with the deadly, unstoppable force of a speeding train. Hurtling toward the children at the base of the mountain, the heavy snow threatens to bury them all.
As the tragedy unfolds, residents of Swandyke look on in horror. Those with children—including two sisters who haven't spoken to each other in decades; a murderer hiding from the law; a prostitute with a hidden identity; a Civil War veteran; and the superintendent's wife, who guards her own secrets—gather to worry, hope and pray. While each waits to learn the fate of their little ones, their fears, prejudices, and secret longings swim to the surface. With so many lives hanging in the balance, can the people of Swandyke put aside their many differences and come together as a community? Or will the avalanche be their ultimate undoing?
Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas is a sad, but hopeful tale about an ordinary town on an average day and how one cruel twist of fate affects everyone who lives there. It's a vivid, moving story about redemption, forgiveness, and the quiet strength we often never know we possess. While it's a bit depressing, I also found this novel to be both compelling and touching. A very satisfying read altogether.
(Readalikes: Um, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, and some sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Whiter Than Snow from the generous folks at The Book Report Network. Thank you!
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Save Me Too Skimpy to Satisfy
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
With a thriving medical practice, a handsome husband, and an old farmhouse she's slowly turning into the perfect family home, Daphne Mitchell has it all. Just about. At 37, she knows she's running out of time to convince Owen to try for the baby she's always desired. She can't understand his hesitation—he'd be a wonderful father. The pediatric oncologist spends his every waking hour caring for children, for heaven's sake! He says someday they'll have their own; Daphne can't—won't—wait that long.
Then, Owen drops the bomb that shatters all Daphne's careful illusions: He's met someone else. A beautiful, poised, younger someone else. Shocked and heartbroken, Daphne tries to cope. When a tragic accident adds insult to injury, she must decide what is most important: pursuing the "perfect" life she's always dreamed of, or salvaging what she can out of the one she's already living.
As you have probably gathered, Save Me by Kristyn Kusek Lewis (available December 30, 2014) is about a woman trying to come to terms with the fact that her husband cheated on her. And ... that's pretty much all it's about. While I sympathized with Daphne, especially at the beginning of the novel, my patience with her and her plight wore out fast. Her fickle indecision drove me crazy, as did her immaturity. Her decisions didn't always make sense to me, which made the ending of her story unsatisfying for me. Although well-written, in the end, Save Me just didn't do it for me. I wanted a fuller, more complex story; a cast of characters with more depth, less selfishness; and an ending that felt more optimistic than depressing. Oh well.
(Readalikes: Hm, nothing is coming to mind.)
Grade:
As you have probably gathered, Save Me by Kristyn Kusek Lewis (available December 30, 2014) is about a woman trying to come to terms with the fact that her husband cheated on her. And ... that's pretty much all it's about. While I sympathized with Daphne, especially at the beginning of the novel, my patience with her and her plight wore out fast. Her fickle indecision drove me crazy, as did her immaturity. Her decisions didn't always make sense to me, which made the ending of her story unsatisfying for me. Although well-written, in the end, Save Me just didn't do it for me. I wanted a fuller, more complex story; a cast of characters with more depth, less selfishness; and an ending that felt more optimistic than depressing. Oh well.
(Readalikes: Hm, nothing is coming to mind.)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Save Me from the generous folks at Hachette via those at BookSparks PR. Thank you!
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Intriguing Premise, Disappointing Execution
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Stillwater Bay, Maine, is the kind of tiny, close-knit community where nothing bad ever happens. Until it does.
It's been a month since a local teen barged into the elementary school, shooting ten kids and two teachers before turning the gun on himself. Although the residents of Stillwater Bay are still reeling from the shocking incident, Mayor Charlotte Stone thinks it's time for the town to move past the tragedy. Re-opening the school, she reasons, will bring some peace to the grief-stricken town. Her husband, the school principal, feels the same.
Her best friend, Jennifer Crowne, does not agree. The thought of innocent children streaming through the halls where her son died so horrifically fills her with a rage so fiery and deep, she can barely suppress it. Alcohol numbs her fury, but only so much—and only for so long. Jenn wants the school torn down; it's the only thing that might ease her suffering.
While residents clash over the school closure/opening issue, Charlotte struggles to keep the community together. Not only is she losing her best friend, but her husband seems to be hiding something as well. Jennifer knows she may be giving up everything—and everyone—she loves to fight a battle she can't win, but she has to do it for herself, for her son. Nothing is more important.
As friends and neighbors chose sides, tempers flare and relationships are put to the ultimate test. Can a town already so scarred come out unscathed? Can it weather this most devastating of storms? The odds are not looking good ...
I'm always interested in books—fictional or otherwise—that look at how communities deal with crises. The human drama fascinates me. That's why the premise of Stillwater Rising, Steena Holmes' newest, piqued my curiosity. But, while the book definitely has drama, what it doesn't really have is a plot. The story is more reaction than action, which makes it dull. The central conflict (to close the school or not) just isn't big enough to carry a whole novel. Plus, the characters remain pretty flat throughout the book. Jenn is so childish and self-centered that it's difficult to empathize with her. The other characters run together, making it tough to keep track of who's who. Even the Big Reveal isn't much of a surprise. It's predictable and comes so late in the story that the whole novel feels not just unresolved, but unsatisfying. So, while I liked the idea of Stillwater Rising, overall, I found the read a disappointing one.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult, One Breath Away by Heather Gudenkauf, and a little of And We Stay by Jenny Hubbard)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for mild language (no F-bombs), intense situations, and vague references to sex
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Stillwater Rising from the generous folks at Lake Union Publishing (a division of Amazon Publishing) via those at Booksparks PR. Thank you!
Subscribe to:
Posts
(Atom)
Reading
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed By Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold
Listening
The Other Mothers by Katherine Faulkner
Followin' with Feedly
-
-
-
-
Haiku Reviews....4 hours ago
-
Grab my Button!
Blog Design by:
2025 Goodreads Reading Challenge
2024 - Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction
2023 - Middle Grade Fiction
2022 - Middle Grade Fiction
2021 - Middle Grade Fiction
2020 - Middle Grade Fiction
