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Showing posts with label Photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Photography. Show all posts
Thursday, December 02, 2021
Historical Grand Canyon Romance a Nicely-Balanced, Faith-Promoting Story
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As her father's unofficial apprentice since childhood, 26-year-old Meg Pero has become an excellent photographer in her own right. Although females in the profession are basically unheard of in 1871, Meg sees no reason why she shouldn't be given a chance. All she has to do is convince the Army officials who hired her late father to help them survey the Grand Canyon that she is more than capable of working in his stead. Easier said than done.
Captain Benjamin Coleridge is an engineer tasked with finding a way to cross the impenetrable Grand Canyon. He's got his own reasons for heading up the risky expedition, aims he plans to divulge to no one. His job gets infinitely more complicated when the indomitable Miss Pero shows up, insisting on tagging along. She broke his heart five years ago; he's not about to let her back in. He doesn't need the aggravation or the distraction.
Despite Meg and Ben's awkward history, the two are soon trekking together into the wilds of Arizona Territory. They, along with the others in their small party, must endure treacherous terrain, dangerous wildlife, perilous storms, dissension in the ranks, and more as they seek to complete the impossible task they're assigned to do. Meg's willing to risk her life for the thrill of capturing pictures of never-seen-before views, but what about her heart? Giving Ben a second chance just might be the biggest gamble she's ever taken. What will happen when the expedition ends? Will he walk away again, taking her battered heart along with him? Or will the adventurers finally get their happily ever after?
When Lark raved on her blog about A Distance Too Grand—the first installment in Regina Scott's American Wonders series—I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. I'm always up for a historical novel with an interesting setting, an intriguing premise, and eye-catching jacket art. Although I'm not always big on Christian novels, the other factors mentioned, plus Lark's recommendation, convinced me to give this one a go. I'm glad I did. I've been to the Grand Canyon many times (the north rim is only about a five-hour drive from my house), so I have no problem picturing it in my head, but Scott's descriptions of its breadth and beauty really did bring it to vivid life. Meg and Ben aren't captured quite as well as neither of them are particularly original or memorable characters. They are likable, though, and I definitely wanted them to get their long-awaited HEA. While A Distance Too Grand is categorized as a romance, I found it had a nice blend of action/adventure, mystery, and history to balance out the love story. As far as the Christian element goes, this one seemed more faith-promoting than preachy to me. Personally, I love that it's a clean, uplifting book that I can recommend to anyone without reservation. Sure, it's predictable and cheesy at times, but overall? I enjoyed it very much. In fact, I've already read the second book and am looking forward to the third, which came out in October.
(Readalikes: Nothing Short of Wondrous and A View Most Glorious by Regina Scott; also reminds me a bit of Misty M. Beller's books)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of A Distance Too Grand with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Luminous and Lovely, The Last Blue Captures Both My Interest and My Heart
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
"At her expense, readers will snatch up magazines and entertain themselves, using her as a measure against their own deficiencies, as a consolation for their incredible fortune of being ordinary" (161*).
Despite winning a Pulitzer Prize for a photograph depicting the grimness of The Great Depression, 32-year-old photographer Clay Havens is feeling uninspired. His creative juices have turned to sludge and he's fairly sure his newest assignment isn't going to provide the spark to get them flowing again. As part of President Roosevelt's plan to sell his country on his New Deal, he's sending journalists into Appalachia to "capture the rugged, steadfast nature of hill people, whether they possess it or not, and to portray their hardship in a way that will make the public sympathetic to their plight and ready to cast their votes accordingly" (14*). Feeling more like a propagandist than a photographer, Havens nevertheless travels to eastern Kentucky with his reporter friend, Ulys Massey. Another prize-winning photo may not be hiding in the hollers, but at least the assignment will keep Havens and Massey out of the breadline.
When the pair arrives in Chance, an offhand remark from one of the small town's more unsavory residents piques their curiosity. Rumors of a scorned family of people with blue skin send them traipsing through the woods to Spooklight Holler. Havens is immediately entranced when he and Massey come across a skittish young woman with skin the color of a robin's egg. A deadly snakebite lands Havens in the extended care of the woman's family. As he and Massey spend more time with the infamous Blues, they become fascinated by their way of life and horrified by how the family has been treated by their White neighbors. While Havens spends his time wooing kind, gentle Jubilee, Massey's itching to sell the Blues' remarkable story to the highest bidder. Reluctant to oust the already hunted people who have been so good to him, Havens searches frantically for a way to stop his partner from causing more trouble for Jubilee and her family. The city slickers' presence has already prompted violence locally; what will happen if Jubilee's beautiful blue face is splashed across the cover of Time? Caught between duty and love, Havens scrambles frantically for a solution that will stop Massey, protect the Blues, and convince Jubilee to give him a chance with her fragile heart. With Chance's White population already whipped into a heated frenzy against the Blues, Havens' time is rapidly running out ...
Earlier this year, I read and adored The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson, which featured the Blue people of Kentucky. So, when Isla Morley contacted me about reviewing her newest novel, which was inspired by the same fascinating clan, I jumped at the chance to grab myself an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) of The Last Blue. I'm so glad I did because just as The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek did, this one immediately captured not just my interest but also my heart. I loved everything about it, from its engaging heroine to its atmospheric setting to its tender love story to the ending that almost undid me entirely. While the book touches on issues of prejudice, fear, exposure vs. exploitation, identity, family, and self-discovery, at its heart, it's really about love in all its messy, life-changing glory. If you, too, are intrigued by the Blue people, or if you just enjoy rich, immersive historical fiction, I absolutely recommend picking up a copy of this luminous, lovely novel.
Intrigued? Good. Learn more by checking out this interview with Isla Morley:
(Readalikes: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson and Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (two F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, disturbing subject matter, scenes of peril, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The Last Blue from the always generous Isla Morley. Thank you!
Friday, December 27, 2019
Relatable and Real, Grief Novel an Authentic, Enjoyable Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As the youngest of eight children, 16-year-old Pup Flanagan might as well be wearing an invisibility cloak 24/7. He belongs to a loving family, but his parents are exhausted, his many siblings are busy with their high-achieving lives, and Pup hasn't done anything distinguished enough to really get him noticed. As a "redheaded, buck-toothed praying mantis" (2), he doesn't attract much attention from members of the opposite sex either. Especially not from his long-time BFF, who would rather exploit Pup than date him. The only person who ever really made him feel seen is his big brother, Patrick, who died unexpectedly while off at college. Now, three years later, it's as if Pup's hero never existed. His family refuses to talk about Patrick, even though their individual grief leaks through in sometimes alarming ways.
In danger of failing Studio Art, Pup makes a last-ditch effort to pass by doing a photography project. To his astonishment, he aces the assignment with a startling photo that reveals the heavy truth about his alcoholic brother. With the help of a new friend, Pup starts to see the world with a more honest eye, which leads him to finally face some hard facts about his family, his so-called best friend, and his own future.
I've read a million books about grief, so I expected Sorry For Your Loss by Jessie Ann Foley to be just another run-of-the-mill story about loss. And it is, in the sense that it concerns a family rocked by tragedy and the ways in which each individual member deals with it. In other ways, it's not a typical grief story because, really, Sorry For Your Loss is about being seen. This is something Pup struggles with as the youngest in a big family, the average Joe in a clan of overachievers, and the quiet, steady friend who puts up with being walked all over. He's someone with whom everyone can relate at some level or another and it's impossible not to root for him. As much as I love Pup as a character what I actually enjoyed most about Sorry For Your Loss is Foley's depictions of life in a large family. Since I come from one, I know all too well the laughter, tears, tension, drama, and messy love inherent in big broods. Foley's version rang so true for me that I found myself really feeling Pup's story on so many levels. Sorry For Your Loss is a beautifully-written novel that's touching and true, relatable and real, poignant and powerful. I adored it.
(Readalikes: Grief books are a dime a dozen, but no really comparable titles are coming quickly to mind. Help?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Monday, December 23, 2019
Beautiful, Vivid The Fountains of Silence Another Evocative Hit From Sepetys
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Spain, 1957
As the daughter of parents accused, imprisoned, and executed for being rebels against Francisco Franco, Ana Torres Moreno knows she must keep her head down, even now. Working as a housekeeper at the Castellana Hilton in Madrid, she performs her duties, saves the little money she makes, and does her best to support her siblings. She has no business fraternizing with the hotel guests and certainly cannot afford to flirt with them or, heaven forbid, fall in love. And yet, she can't help the way her heart flutters when Daniel Matheson smiles at her.
Daniel, the son of a Texas oil tycoon, is on a business trip with his parents to Madrid. Determined to become a photojournalist despite his father's protestations, he roams the city capturing the country of his mother's birth on film. When he happens upon several disturbing scenes, Daniel becomes enraged, determined to do something to help the poor in the struggling city. When he shares his photos with Ana, the lovely maid in charge of keeping his room clean, he inadvertently ropes her into his risky activities without realizing just how much danger he's putting her in.
Together, Ana and Daniel struggle to make sense of a Spain still rising from the ashes after the war and what that means for them, both individually and together.
YA historical fiction author Ruta Sepetys has won my admiration as well as my loyalty as a reader by continually producing moving, well-researched, beautifully-written novels. The Fountains of Silence, her fourth book, is no exception. In her newest, she delves into a time and place I know little about, which made it especially fascinating for me. Chock-full of vivid detail, Sepetys brings post-war Spain to colorful life, highlighting both its beauty and its struggles. The main characters aren't anything super special, but they're likable and sympathetic. Gentle but evocative and powerful, the story is also engrossing and compelling. I'm not sure if teen readers will have the patience for its 472 pages, but I loved it. If you enjoy intriguing historical fiction, definitely check out this book as well as Sepetys' previous three. She's a talented author. I can't wait to see what she does next!
(Readalikes: The only other book I've read about the Spanish Civil War is Lady Emma's Campaign, a Regency romance by Jennifer Moore. Beyond that, The Fountains of Silence reminds me of a number of World War II novels I've read, although no specific titles are coming to mind.)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, mild innuendo, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of The Fountains of Silence from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Thursday, October 08, 2015
Wickedly Funny Family Secrets Novel Surprisingly Poignant
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Despite her vow never to be like her bitter, alcoholic mother, Mattie Wallace has pretty much become her mini-me. Newly homeless, she's got all of her earthly possessions stuffed into a half dozen trash bags in the back of her mom's ancient Chevy Malibu. With nothing in her wallet, but a definite something growing in her womb, Mattie's reached an all-time low. At least her mom—who's been dead for five years—isn't around to say, "I told you so." Although Mattie's aging stepfather is willing to take her in, she can't bear for him to see how badly she's screwed up this time. It's just as well, then, that he has news—Mattie's grandmother has died, leaving a possible inheritance for her next of kin. Mattie never knew her mother's mother, but she's not opposed to taking whatever money the woman left behind. With nothing to keep her in the Florida Panhandle, Mattie high-tails it to little Gandy, Oklahoma, hoping to leave with some cold, hard cash.
The good news: Mattie has inherited her mother's family home. The bad: she can't take possession of it for several months. With the Malibu out of commission, she's stuck in Gandy until she can find the money to get it repaired. A kind paralegal allows her to squat in her grandmother's house, but that only solves one of Mattie's problems. As she tries to straighten out her many dilemmas, Mattie settles into the rhythm of life in Gandy. Thanks to the quirky townspeople, her days are filled with plenty of drama and entertainment. Still, the only story she really wants told is that of her mother. Why did Genie Wallace, a pretty young woman with a bright future, suddenly up and leave Gandy? Why did she never return? How did the popular, well-loved Genie turn into the broken, boozed-up woman who raised Mattie?
With more questions than answers, Mattie determines to shake the truth about her mother out of the reticent Gandy-ans. Considering how shaky her relationship with Genie was, Mattie's surprised by how much she wants to know who her mother really was. But how many people will she have to hurt in order to get the real story? And what does it matter, after all, when the real problem is what to do about Mattie's own downward spiral? As Mattie unearths clues about her family's past, she finds shocking revelations—astonishing truths that might be the keys to salvaging her own future.
As you probably know by now, I'm a sucker for a good homecoming/family secrets story. The Art of Crash Landing, a debut novel by Melissa DeCarlo, certainly fits the bill, although it's a far cry from the Kate Morton-ish fare I usually read. Feisty Mattie is the kind of irascible character that shouldn't be as likable as she is. Still, her wicked sense of humor; her bold, reckless personality; and her refusal to back down make her a fun heroine. Her pain, so authentic and raw, makes her sympathetic. I couldn't help but love her. Mattie's madcap adventures made me laugh, while her family mystery made me race through the pages, eager to see how the puzzle pieces all fit together. Although our heroine (anti-heroine?) is undeniably hilarious, The Art of Crash Landing isn't a light, fun kind of novel. Not by a long shot. It's a sad, poignant read, but one that manages to be both real and hopeful. Despite the excessive profanity and other R-rated bits, I surprised myself by enjoying this novel quite thoroughly.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't really think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, sexual content, violence, and depictions of underage drinking and illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The Art of Crash Landing from the generous folks at HarperCollins via those at TLC Book Tours. Thank you!
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Another Just-Okay Read—and I Love NOLA Novels!
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Although her professor father can hardly contain himself at the prospect of studying history from the inside, 17-year-old Lucy Aimes isn't quite as enthusiastic. She'd rather be hanging out with her friends in Chicago than playing Gone With the Wind all summer in hot, humid New Orleans. Lucy promised her family she'd give life in Louisiana a shot and there is one thing she's excited about—interning with the preservation department of Le Ciel Doux, the antebellum sugar plantation/living history museum of which her father is the new curator. It's impossible not to be intrigued by the elegant old mansion with its stately columns and ancient secrets. Capturing it all with her trusty Canon is the one thing Lucy is looking forward to doing.
Le Ciel Doux's otherworldly atmosphere invades not just Lucy's camera, but also her dreams. At night, she's plagued by vivid, unsettling scenes from a distant past she shouldn't recognize, but somehow remembers. When she spies a mysterious stranger she's seen only in her night visions roaming the grounds of Le Ciel Doux, Lucy thinks she might be going crazy. How can she feel so much for a person she doesn't know, a boy she's not even sure actually exists?
When a local girl is brutally murdered, Lucy knows the incident is somehow related to her strange visions. Evil has descended on Le Ciel Doux once again and it's up to her to stop it, before it destroys everyone she loves—in the past and the present.
You may have noticed that I have a thing for novels set in The Big Easy. The colorful, atmospheric portrayals of the city, with its unique history, culture, and customs, always capture my fancy. So, when a book fails to bring all that richness to life, I feel a bit let down. Which might explain why I found Sweet Unrest, a debut YA novel by Lisa Maxwell, disappointing. The book's premise is intriguing enough, though not very original, so I had high hopes for a good read. While the mystery did keep me flipping pages and I did enjoy the back-and-forth in time narration, Sweet Unrest just wasn't anything special. The characters felt flat and cliché; the prose did a whole lot more telling than showing; the plot had some big holes; and the setting failed to come alive for me like it usually does in a NOLA novel. I definitely wanted more from this book—better character development, a stronger voice, more dynamic writing, etc. In the end, I felt this one was just okay. Not horrible, not wonderful. Okay.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Sweet Unrest from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Another Tender Tale From An Author Who Always Knows Just How to Touch My Heart
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Lucy Emery should be excited about her new home on the shore of a beautiful New Hampshire lake. She's never lived by the water before. It's a lovely spot, but the 12-year-old's nervous about starting over in a new place. She's not looking forward to a long, friendless summer, let alone beginning school without knowing a soul. It doesn't help that her mom's busy working and her dad, a famous nature photographer who promised her lots of father/daughter adventures in New Hampshire, is already off on another out-of-state assignment.
When she discovers that her dad's judging a children's photography contest, Lucy thinks she may have found the perfect way to kill two birds with one stone—not only will the photo scavenger hunt fill up her empty summer days, but maybe, she can use her pictures to convince her dad to pay more attention to his daughter. With the help of her new friend, Nate, Lucy goes in search of photo-worthy vistas. As she shoots the lakeside with its sparkling waters, towering mountains, and endangered loons, she finds not just beauty, but also a terrible truth. Revealing it could destroy the only friendship she's got. Does Lucy dare tell Nate what she knows? How will the knowledge affect his family? And what about the photography contest? If Lucy doesn't win, how will she keep her own relationships intact? As Lucy battles with herself over what to do, she'll discover even more startling truths—about friendship, family and, ultimately, about herself.
Cynthia Lord has a knack for creating tender, uplifting stories about kids grappling with everyday challenges. Her newest, Half a Chance, is no exception. As in her other books, Lord populates this one with likable characters who earn both our sympathy and our admiration. She moves them around in a rich, atmospheric setting while putting them through their paces. It's difficult not to care about the outcome of a tale with such a richness of people and place. I definitely cared. Half a Chance isn't my favorite Lord book (that would be Rules), but it's still a lovely, poignant story by a writer whose books never fail to touch my heart.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't really think of any. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Half a Chance from the generous folks at Scholastic. Thank you!
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Atmospheric Family Secrets Novel Falls Flat for Me. Somehow.
(Image from Book Depository)
After her young daughter dies in a freak accident, photographer Clare Porterfield struggles to move on. Consumed by grief, the 30-year-old can't summon the energy to save her collapsing marriage, let alone dig herself out of the deep, dark hole of sadness in which she's been wallowing since her daughter's death. So, when she receives an invitation from a wealthy philanthropist to put together a photography exhibition in her hometown of Galveston, Texas, she welcomes the chance to flee.
The peculiar rhythm of life on the island comforts Clare, even as it reminds her how out of synch she now is with the place she once called home. Rifling through historical photographs of Galveston reminds her why she loves the island, a spot still as vivid and mysterious as it's always been. She's particularly fascinated by the story of Stella Carraday, a local woman said to have drowned in the Great Hurricane of 1900. The image of Stella swinging from her dining room chandelier, her long hair tangled in the crystal light fixture, has always haunted Clare's imagination. Somehow, she knows there's more to Stella's oft-told story. As she digs into the dead woman's history, Clare can't help but reflect on her own dealings with the enigmatic Carrady Family. Secrets, old and new, swirl in the air of their grand old house, secrets Clare vows to bring to light.
Although she's urged—more than once—to leave the past where it belongs, her fascination with Stella is the only thing that's keeping Clare going. When she solves all Galveston's mysteries, she'll have to face her personal problems—a terrifying prospect. And yet, her issues are more tied to the island than she ever imagined. Finding the answers she seeks may just give her the closure she seeks ... or destroy her fragile psyche forever.
Atmospheric and eerie, The Drowning House by Elizabeth Black is an evocative, assured debut. The writing brings Galveston to life in all its complex, contradictory glory. While most of the characters aren't particularly likable, they're definitely interesting. The mystery of Stella Carraday's fate captured my imagination just as surely as it did Clare's. With all of these intriguing elements, The Drowning House should have been an intense, satisfying read. And yet, it falls flat somehow. Maybe it's because of the novel's anti-climatic ending or its sad, depressing subject matter or maybe just the fact that so many things in the story were wrapped up in ways that felt incomplete and just clumsy. I'm not sure exactly why, but I wanted to love this one a lot more than I actually did. Still, considering the skill I see in this first-time novelist, I foresee some great things coming from Elizabeth Black. And, believe me, I'll be watching for them.
(Readalikes: Reminded me a bit of Karen White's novels)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (1 F-bomb plus milder invectives), sexual content and depictions of illegal drug use and underage drinking
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Drowning House from the generous folks at Doubleday (a division of Random House). Thank you!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Margolick Tells the Story Behind the Story of a Powerful Photograph
(Image from NPR Books)
On the morning of September 4, 1957, reporter Will Counts snapped a photograph that would haunt not just the nation, but also the two girls pictured most prominently in the image. Both of them were 15 years old, both were looking forward to becoming juniors at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, and neither knew just how much their faces would come to symbolize the explosive issue of school integration. The two girls, who did not know each other when Counts took their picture, would become forever linked because of one powerful photograph.
Because her family did not own a telephone, Elizabeth Eckford did not receive the message to meet the rest of the Little Rock Nine before school on September 4. They planned to enter Central High School together. Elizabeth ended up walking alone. The solitary figure in white became an easy target for the crowd of protesters that gathered outside the school. In the midst of the mob stood Hazel Bryan. Like the people around her, she jeered and taunted Elizabeth, making it clear how she felt about a black girl daring to enter the hallowed halls of her high school. At that moment, Counts' camera clicked, capturing Hazel, her lips pulled back and teeth bared, looking like a lion stalking its prey. The photo seemed to say everything that needed to be said about the situation in Little Rock. Published in the Arkansas Democrat later that afternoon, the picture struck an immediate chord with all who saw it. In today's terms, it went viral. All over the country, outraged Americans demanded swift and aggressive action to be taken in Arkansas.
As far as most people know, that's it. Integration happened, end of story. Except it's not. Central High did not integrate right away and, when it finally did, its black students suffered all kinds of indignities. Elizabeth was never the same after her experience there. And even though, as an adult, Hazel sought and received forgiveness from Elizabeth, she never quite got over the shame of having her worst moment captured on film for millions to see.
The story behind the story of Counts' iconic photograph so fascinated David Margolick, a contributing editor at Vanity Fair, that he wanted to write an article about it. The article turned into a book, Elizabeth and Hazel: Two Women of Little Rock. Although it may not sound like a page turner, I found myself reading it until way past my bedtime, promising myself over and over that I'd just read one more chapter. That's the beauty of a well-told story—it draws you in, not letting you go until you've reached the end. And, often, not even then. This is how I felt about Elizabeth and Hazel. I found it totally engrossing. Also interesting, eye-opening, sad, and thought-provoking. I'm glad I read it and I know I'll never look at the Eckford/Bryan photo in the same way again.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine and the Dear America Book, With the Might of Angels by Andrea Davis Pinkney)
Grade: B
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for strong language (a few F-bombs, plus milder invectives, including racial epithets) and violence
To the FTC, with love: Another library
Friday, September 14, 2012
Gentle YA Dystopian A Little Too Tame
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Dystopian stories are—almost by definition—bleak, bloody and brutal. Which is why Safekeeping (available September 18, 2012), a new YA novel by Karen Hesse, is such an oddity. It is, without a doubt, the gentlest dystopian I've ever read. Not that it's all bright and cheery. It's not. But it's not as tension-filled as other books of its type either. Which is a good thing. Except when it isn't.
When the story opens, 17-year-old Radley Parker-Hughes is on a plane, coming home after volunteering at an orphanage in Haiti. She knows the U.S. has changed in the time she's been gone, she just doesn't realize how much. At the airport in Manchester, New Hampshire, she's greeted by armed soldiers, a crippled Internet/phone system, and a list of strict new laws, one of which prohibits her from crossing state lines without prior government approval. Radley assumes her parents will arrive, clear up any problems and whisk her back to Vermont, rescuing her as they always have. When Radley's parents fail to show, she realizes the scary truth—she's on her own in a world that's become not just unrecognizable, but increasingly dangerous.
With no way to contact her family, no way to get home, Radley does the only thing she can: she starts walking. As she treks across the changed land, she battles hunger, exhaustion, and the desperate actions of other travelers. Even after spending weeks in the hardscrabble streets of Haiti, Radley finds herself woefully unprepared to deal with this grim, new reality. Without her parents around to save the day, what will become of Radley Parker-Hughes? If she has only her own wits to rely on, how will she ever survive?
If you've read The Road (I haven't) or seen the movie (I have), then you know what kind of story I was expecting from Safekeeping, which has a similar premise. What I got was something much different. Sure, the books have common elements, but, like I said before, Safekeeping tells a gentle, almost sedate story. In fact, it's too calm. Only the fact that it's a short, spare novel kept it from being a total snooze fest. For me, it just didn't offer enough conflict or depth to be as compelling as it could have been. And then there are the photos. The text is interspersed with black and white photos the author snapped herself, which is cool, although I don't think the pictures really enhanced my reading experience. They were just too ordinary, you know? Maybe that was the whole point and I missed their deeper meaning, but meh, the photos really didn't do much for me. Overall, I found Safekeeping a fast read, just not a very exciting one. I know I whine a lot about YA dystopians being too similar, but this one was a little too different for me. What can I say? I'm complicated.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Road by Cormac McCarthy and a little of Ashfall and Ashen Winter by Mike Mullin)
Grade: C+
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (no F-bombs) and adult subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Safekeeping from the generous folks at Feiwel and Friends (an imprint of Macmillan). Thank you! Check out all the new YA books coming out from Macmillan at Fierce Reads.
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