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Showing posts with label U.S. Settings: Tennessee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U.S. Settings: Tennessee. Show all posts
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Despite Explosive Subject Matter, The Atomic City Girls is a Slow, Lackluster Slog
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
After her fiancé is killed in the war, 18-year-old June Walker is at loose ends. Wanting to do her bit to help her country, she joins her older sister in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where a crowd of young women are descending to work at mysterious jobs they're not allowed to talk about. The bustling town—which has suddenly sprung up out of nowhere—is dominated by secrecy and security. Inside its borders, though, Oak Ridge is lively with people bustling in and out of factories, canteens, bowling alleys, movie theaters, and dance halls. June's job as an operator of a big, boring machine is mind-numbingly dull, but her life is more meaningful now than it's ever been. Even though she's not allowed to ask questions about what she's actually doing, she's convinced her role in Oak Ridge—not just as a worker but also as a morale booster for all the young men stationed there—is important.
Dr. Sam Cantor, a 30-year-old engineer from New York, is charmed by June's country girl naiveté. Sam is one of the few people in Oak Ridge who knows what The Manhattan Project is. As his frowned-upon relationship with the younger woman blooms, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep the secrets he's promised to protect from leakng out.
Cici Roberts, June's bombshell roommate, is disgusted by the growing closeness between June and Sam, even though she spends her every waking hour trying to snag a rich husband for herself. Desperate to pass as a sophisticated socialite instead of what she truly is, Cici will do anything to keep her own secrets hidden.
Joe Brewer knows that he and his fellow Negro workers are not treated the same as their white counterparts in Oak Ridge. Still, he needs his wages to send back to his wife and children in Alabama. That requires working hard and keeping his head down, keeping far away from the trouble that's brewing in the colored quarters.
When Hiroshima is bombed and the shocking truth about the true purpose of Oak Ridge is revealed, everyone in the secret city will be left to grapple with their own morality in the wake of the horrifying destruction they've helped to bring about. The lives of June, Sam, Cici, and Joe will be forever changed because of it.
I've never read anything about The Manhattan Project, so I thought The Atomic City Girls by Janet Beard would be an interesting read. And it is, at least in the sense that it gives readers an idea of what Oak Ridge, Tennessee, was and what living there must have been like. Enhanced with historical photographs from the the city's heyday, the book's setting definitely comes alive. Beyond that, though, it is...not exciting. The novel has no plot, which makes it an episodic slog that meanders here and there without really going anywhere. Although I like that the author uses different focus characters to show different aspects of life in Oak Ridge, the four Beard has created are either bland or downright unpalatable. June and Joe fall into the first category, with Sam and Cici in the other. June and Joe are both sympathetic and kind, but they're cardboard cutouts with no real personality or depth. Sam is a broody jerk who takes advantage of a vulnerable young woman for his own lustful desires. Cici is a self-centered snob who only cares about tricking a wealthy man into taking care of her. Ugh. I was rooting for June and Joe (even though neither felt at all real to me), but I despised both Sam and Cici. Beard's simplistic, lackluster prose does not help matters, combining with the novel's other problems to make it even less appealing. Considering all this, you may be asking, "So, why on earth did you keep reading The Atomic City Girls?" Honestly, I'm not sure. It fulfilled a few reading challenge prompts and it's a fast, mindless read. In the end, though, I found it almost wholly unsatisfying. It's boring, depressing, and just meh all around.
(Readalikes: I've heard that The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II by Denise Kiernan is a much better book on the same subject.)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
or possibly R
for language (no F-bombs), violence, and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of The Atomic City Girls with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Tough, Beautiful Fighting Words An Unforgettable Novel
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Every child needs a fierce protector. Ten-year-old Della has her older sister, Suki. It was Suki who cared for her while their mother cooked meth; Suki who watched out for her when their mom went to prison, leaving the girls in the care of her abusive boyfriend; Suki who got the evidence that convicted him for molesting Della; and Suki who still shields her even though the sisters are finally safe with Francine, their forthright but loving foster mother. It's only now that Della is beginning to realize that while she's always had Suki as her older, wiser guard, Suki's never really had anyone to fulfill that role. And she's needed a protector. Desperately. When Suki tries to take her own life, Della discovers just how broken her she-wolf sister really is. Can Della find a way to nurture her sister the way Suki has always done for Della? Will the two ever find the healing they so need and deserve?
As you can no doubt tell, Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is a raw, gut punch of a novel. While it's not graphic, it's still honest and hard-hitting. The thing that saves it from being unrelentingly grim is our heroine, Della. She's tough, irrepressible, and hilarious. Her voice is absolutely pitch-perfect. For all these reasons, it's impossible not to root for her and Suki. While Fighting Words is about so many things—sexual abuse, consent, bravery, resilience, etc.—it's really about two sisters and their unbreakable bond. Despite its touch subject matter, I loved this beautiful, empowering novel.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a bit of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
MG Contemporary Not as Grim As It Sounds
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Louise "Lou" Montgomery loves to sing, but not in the way her mother wants her to. Convinced that Lou's going to make it big any day now, her mother drags her from place to place insisting that she perform in front of any crowd they can find. Twelve-year-old Lou can't stand the noisy groups, all the people looking at her, or the way some people want to touch her. She knows her quirks are weird, but sometimes the sensory overload makes her feel like she's going to explode. Lou and her mom need the money her gigs provide so they can find somewhere to live besides their truck, but she would do anything not to have to perform ever again.
When Lou accidentally crashes the truck and her unstable living situation becomes known, Child Protective Services steps in. Lou is sent to live with an aunt and uncle in Nashville. For the first time she realizes what she's been missing—a clean home that's not on wheels, nutritious meals, going to school, guardians who put her first, etc. When her Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is officially diagnosed for the first time, Lou even begins to understand the condition that has always confused and plagued her. Lou's new life is a million times better than her old one. Does she really want to be reunited with the mother who neglected and exploited her? If Lou can't save her mom, who will?
Although the plot summary of Tune It Out by Jamie Sumner makes the middle-grade novel sound pretty grim, it's actually a funny, hopeful book that's more upbeat than not. Lou is a sympathetic character, even if she's also kind of a self-centered one. It's easy to root for her as she begins to get the stability and care she deserves. Yes, she acts older than 12 and yes, her story is predictable, but overall, Tune It Out is an enjoyable novel. It brings the challenges of living with an SPD to light and teaches an important lesson about the fact that no one is "normal." Everyone has quirks and differences that should be viewed with empathy and understanding. With further lessons about family, friendship, and finding your way, Tune It Out is an appealing, compelling novel.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs) and tough subject matter (parental neglect, homelessness, etc.)
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Monday, November 09, 2020
YA Survival Novel Tense and Unflinching
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Ashley Hawkins' single father doesn't have the money to provide her with much more than her basic needs, but he did teach her how to survive in the Tennessee wilderness. She's perfectly at home in the Smoky Mountains, more comfortable there than inside the walls of her drama-filled high school. So, when she catches her boyfriend making out with another girl while they're all on a group campout, she takes off in a fit of anger, seeking solace among the trees that have always cocooned her. In her drunken rage, she wanders farther than she intended and injures herself. When she wakes, Ashley's shocked to realize she's lost and alone. She's not expected home for a couple of days. Barely able to walk, she's got no supplies and no choice—she has to get out of the forest. Battling infection, fatigue, hunger, thirst, wild animals, and more, Ashley's in for the fight of her life.
Be Not Far From Me is another raw, gritty tale from YA veteran Mindy McGinnis. She pulls no punches in this survival tale, so be prepared. It's brutal and unflinching. Ashley is the perfect heroine for this story. She's smart, tough, and determined. Her vulnerability, though, is what makes her authentic and relatable. It's impossibly not to root for her success, even as it becomes less and less likely. While Be Not Far From Me is a intense, straightforward survival story, it does offer some interesting ruminations on how the things (nature) and people (family and friends) we love can both shelter and harm us. I've enjoyed all of McGinnis' books; this one is no exception. If you enjoy stark survival tales, you're going to love Be Not Far From Me.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other YA and MG survival stories like The Canyon's Edge by Dusti Bowling, I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall, When We Were Lost by Kevin Wignall, The Wild Lands by Paul Greci, etc.)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, blood/gore, and depictions of underage drinking and illegal drug use (marijuana)
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, July 19, 2018
If You Find Me Haunting, Heartbreaking, and Hopeful
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Hidden deep in a Tennessee national forest, 14-year-old Carey Blackburn and her younger sister live in a rotting camper with no electricity, no running water, and little supervision. A bi-polar drug addict, their mother flits in and out of the girls' lives. Her frequent absences are nothing new, but this time, she's been gone longer than ever before. With almost no food in the camper, Carey is starting to panic. How will she keep Nessa fed, let alone safe from all the dangers that surround them in the dense, isolated woods?
When two strangers show up at the camper, Carey grows even more alarmed. One of them is her father, but that doesn't mean she can trust him or his social worker companion. Despite her misgivings, Carey is forced to leave the only home she's ever known. Thrown into a world full of unfamiliar people and mind-boggling middle-class comforts, she's lonely, confused, and way out of her element. As she tries to make her way in her strange, new present Carey must also come to grips with some shocking truths about her past. Including the one she holds deep, deep inside her troubled soul.As you can tell from the intense jacket art, If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch is not a light read. Not by a long shot. In fact, it's a haunting, heartbreaking novel that's achingly raw and emotionally wrenching. It's also a lyrical, hopeful book about family, fortitude, and forging bravely ahead despite past hurts. Sharp, but nuanced, If You Find Me tells a powerful story that will stay with the reader long after the book is finished.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a few F-bombs, plus milder expletives), sexual content, violence, depictions of underage drinking/partying, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Satisfying Christian Romance Big on History, Light on Preaching
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Romance is the last thing on the mind of 25-year-old Alexandra Jamison. Still reeling from the train accident that killed her fiancé one year ago, she's searching for a way to honor her intended's dream of making a difference in the world. That certainly won't happen if she's wed to a stuffy Southern gentleman with old-fashioned notions about a woman's place. Which is the exact situation her father is trying to broker for her. Now that Alexandra's unsuitable intended is out of the way, he'll unite her with a mature aristocrat, the wealthier the better. Love has no place in his ambitious plans.
Alexandra refuses to accept a future so dismal, a decision that leads to her expulsion from the family home. Her new job as a teacher at Fisk University, a local school for freedmen, only infuriates her father more. Unless she kowtows to his wishes, she'll be cut off from everything she's ever known—money, privilege, comfort, and her elevated place in Nashville society. Is making a difference really worth the risk?
Sylas Rutledge is a man well acquainted with risk, but unaccustomed to the rules of Southern society. As the owner of the Northeast Rail Line, the 31-year-old has traveled to Nashville from his home in Colorado Territory to arrange a lucrative business deal. He's also determined to clear his father's name. The engineer who's been accused of causing the accident that killed Alexandra's fiancé and numerous others, Sy's dad's reputation has been unduly soiled. At least that's what Sy believes.
When Alexandra and Sy meet, sparks instantly start to fly. As they help each other work toward impossible goals, they become closer and closer. But what will happen when Sy finally tells Alexandra who he is and what he's really doing in Nashville? Will their budding romance end before it gets a chance to really begin?
To Wager Her Heart by Tamera Alexander tells an engaging story set against a rich historical backdrop. I knew nothing about certain places and events—like Fisk University; Belle Meade Plantation; the Jubilee Singers; and the real train accident that occurred near Dutchman's Curve in 1918, killing more than 100 people—until I read this novel. These kinds of details made the setting of To Wager Her Heart come alive for me. Alexandra and Sy are both sympathetic characters, which makes it easy to root for their success. They're not the most complex or well-developed story people in the world, but they felt real enough to keep me interested. Although the novel is predictable, with not enough tension standing in the way of the couple's Happily Ever After (despite its lengthy 351 pages), To Wager Her Heart feels satisfying. It's not super original, but it is a clean, enjoyable, setting-rich Christian romance that never feels too preachy. Overall, I enjoyed it and am definitely planning to read the rest of the books in the Belle Meade Plantation series (which consists of interconnected stories, not sequels per se).
(Readalikes: other novels in the Belle Meade Plantation series by Tamera Alexander, including To Whisper Her Name and To Win Her Favor)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of To Wager Her Heart from the generous folks at Zondervan via those at TLC Book Tours. Thank you!
--
Want more opinions on To Wager Her Heart? Follow along on the book's blog tour:
Monday, August 28th: Reviews from the Heart
Wednesday, August 30th: Splashes of Joy
Friday, September 1st: Books a la Mode – excerpt
Monday, September 4th: A Chick Who Reads
Tuesday, September 5th: Empowermoms
Friday, September 8th: For Him and My Family
Monday, September 11th: Books and Spoons – excerpt
Tuesday, September 12th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
Thursday, September 14th: Jathan & Heather
Friday, September 15th: Art @ Home
Monday, September 18th: Cheryl’s Book Nook
Tuesday, September 19th: A Holland Reads
Wednesday, September 20th: Reading is My SuperPower
Friday, September 22nd: Just One More Chapter – excerpt
Monday, September 25th: Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books - a couple days late - oops!
Tuesday, September 26th: Write Read Life
Wednesday, September 27th: Laura’s Reviews
Monday, May 15, 2017
Southern YA Debut Novel Disappointing Despite Intriguing Set Up
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Dill Early has never fit in in tiny Forrestville, Tennessee. And that was before his father went to prison. The dynamic Dill Early, Sr., is the pastor of the snake-handling Church of Christ's Disciples with Signs of Belief. Even with the leader incarcerated on charges of possessing child pornography, he has his devout followers. His son is no longer one of them. Humiliated by his father's sins, baffled by his mother's blind faith, and bullied by his classmates, Dill wants one thing—to escape Forrestville for good. He dreams of going to college, a goal neither of his parents support. In the meantime, he escapes by playing his guitar, writing songs, and leaning on his two best friends and fellow misfits, Lydia and Travis.
Lydia Blankenship is the kind of girl who intimidates all boys. She's smart, confident, and successful. Dill longs to tell her that he'd like to be more than friends, but he can't work up the courage. What's the point, anyway? The minute she graduates, Lydia will fly off to New York City, leaving him far behind.
As the three friends navigate their way through their senior year of high school, they will face unimaginable heartbreak and strife. Can the trio survive intact? Will their individual dreams and ambitions come to fruition? Or will they remain stuck in the mud that's already dragging them down?
The Serpent King, a debut novel by musician Jeff Zentner, is—as you can tell—a bit short on plot. Its focus is Dill, Lydia, and Travis, and their friendship. Which is great, except when the story drags because little is actually happening. I was drawn to The Serpent King because I found its title intriguing and the idea of a cult-like, snake-handling sect fascinating. Unfortunately, the things I found most beguiling about the novel weren't explored much, leaving me a bit disappointed. Add in a here, there, and everywhere plot and a loosely constructed story line and yeah, I just didn't end up loving this one. The book does explore some important ideas about the power of true friendship, not allowing yourself to be defined by the sins of your parents, and finding oneself even in the worst possible situations. Overall, though, I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much as I wanted to. I'm in the minority here, though, as The Serpent King has received a number of awards including the William C. Morris YA Debut Award and a Whitney Award for Best Debut Novel of 2016. If you've read it, what did you think?
(Readalikes: Reminded me a little of A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a couple of F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, and sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Friday, May 30, 2014
A Snicker of Magic A Splendiforous, Hopeful Tale
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Chances are, you've seen this cover splashed all over the book blogosphere lately. A Snicker of Magic, a debut novel by Natalie Lloyd, is getting lots of attention. Not to mention rave reviews. The story's a little difficult to describe so, once again, I'm going to rely on the professionally-written blurb to do my work for me:
Some people collect baseball cards. Or hedgehogs. Or belly button lint. Not Felicity Pickle. She collects words—words people are thinking about, or words they want. Some words glow, and some dance. Some have wings, and some have zebra stripes.
Yet although Felicity has traveled all over the country with her mama and little sister, there's one word she's never seen—home.
Felicity is tired of wandering from place to place. Making new friends can be harder than fractions ... especially when words like loser and clutzerdoodle fill the classroom every time you open your mouth.
But when her mama's van, the Pickled Jalapeño, rolls into Midnight Gulch, Felicity feels her luck begin to change. For the first time, she's found a place where she can grow some good memories ... and maybe even make a friend.
That's because Midnight Gulch used to be magical—a town where people could dance up thunderstorms and bake secrets into pie—until a curse drove the magic away.
At least, that's what most people think.
Felicity can tell there's still a snicker of magic in Midnight Gulch. It hasn't disappeared; it's just been playing hide-and-seek for a very long time.
All she has to do is find the right words to turn it loose.
Sounds like a fun story, right? And it is. Sure, it gets a little silly at times, but mostly it's a magical, uplifting tale about family, forgiveness, and the power of words. The characters are as quirky as you might expect. So is the fictional Tennessee town in which they live. Readers will relate to the sympathetic Felicity and cheer as she and her BFF, Jonah, seek to find the magic in the people and places around them. Overall, I enjoyed this one.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of Savvy by Ingrid Law and Sway by Amber McRee Turner)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for nothing offensive
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of A Snicker of Magic from the generous folks at Scholastic. Thank you!
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
The One Where My SBP Love Takes a Bit of a Hit
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: Although this review will not contain spoilers for The Shade of the Moon, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Last Survivors books. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
Four years after an asteroid smacks into the moon, leading to Earth-wide death and devastation, Jon Evans (Miranda's younger brother) is living the good life. Well, as good as it gets in a ruined world. The 17-year-old is a "clave," one of the lucky people chosen to live inside Sexton, a protected enclave in Tennessee. As long as Jon continues to shine on the soccer field, he's guaranteed food, shelter and safety for himself, his stepmother and his young stepbrother Gabe. One wrong move, though, and he's out. If he steps out of line, he'll become just another "grub" eking out a meager survival outside the enclave. Still haunted by the horrific deaths of people he loved, Jon can't help feeling guilty—not just for surviving when so many others perished, but for all his family sacrificed in order for him to live. He can't screw up this opportunity to make something of himself.
When Sarah Goldman—an outspoken teenager from Connecticut—moves into Sexton, Jon finds himself fascinated by her passion for equal rights. Sympathizing with grubs is a good way to get herself kicked out of the enclave. Jon knows he should stay away from subversives like her, but he can't. With Sarah's voice echoing in his head, he starts to see his protected life in a whole new light. How can he justify feeling safe and sated, when his own family, the very people who sacrificed their own lives to ensure his survival, struggle for every bite of food they can find outside the enclave? How can he play soccer, of all things, while they suffer? Is Jon better than the grubs because he's an athlete? And is he willing to risk his own safety to help those less fortunate? As the pressure mounts, Jon must decide—once and for all—who he is and what he stands for in this mad new world.
YA author Susan Beth Pfeffer never intended to write a fourth book in her popular Last Survivors series. But, her fans (including me) begged for another book. So, she wrote one. I've been eager to read The Shade of the Moon ever since I heard about its impending creation and maybe, just maybe, I was expecting way too much from it. Because, truth is, as much as I enjoyed the rest of the books in this series, I wasn't wild about this last installment. Why? It had a lot to do with Jon, who's just not a very sympathetic character. Also, his insta-love with Sarah got annoying; the story lacks a lot in the plot department; the writing's choppy; and subtlety is just not one of this novel's strengths. The Shade of the Moon is a tense, conflict-filled page-turner, yes, it's just not nearly as compelling or well-crafted as the previous books in this series. Am I disappointed because I expected way too much from this novel? Probably. And, yet, it really isn't as good as its predecessors, so I'm feeling totally justified here ... I still love SBP for her sense of humor (her blog's hilarious) and her loyalty to her fans, but dang it, I wanted a lot more from this book. Ah, well. Life goes on, doesn't it?
(Readalikes: The previous books in this series [Life As We Knew It; The Dead and the Gone; This World We Live In])
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, sexual innuendo/content and depictions of underage drinking
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The Shade of the Moon from the generous folks at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Thank you!
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