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Saturday, May 11, 2013
Balliett's Latest Enjoyable, Just Not Exceptional
7:24 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Dashel Pearl isn't the most conventional of fathers, but he loves his family and would never abandon them. Would he? The longer he's gone, the harder 11-year-old Early worries. Where has her missing father gone? Is he ever coming back?
Wherever Dashel has disappeared to, he's left a huge mess behind him. Not only has he broken his family's hearts, but he's crossed some very dangerous people. The thugs claim Dashel stole something from them. Early doesn't know what that may be, she only knows that they will stop at nothing to get it back. The Pearls can't return to the apartment the thugs ripped apart, but where else can they live? With barely a penny to their names, they have no choice but to hole up at a homeless shelter in a dingy, rundown section of Chicago.
As everyone else's faith in Dashel fades, Early knows she has to hold fast to her hope. It's all she's got left. Besides, she's found some clues to her father's disappearance, hints that indicate he didn't flee by choice. No one believes her, but Early knows her dad—he moved to his own, unique rhythm. If she can just figure out the puzzle he's left behind, she can find Dashel.
All Early wants is her family back together in a home where they can live in peace and safety. But as things come to a boiling point, Early knows her wish may be nothing more than an impossible dream.
Hold Fast, a new middle grade mystery by Blue Balliett, is my second venture with this author. And I feel the same way about her latest as I did about The Danger Box—it's enjoyable, just not exceptional. The Pearls are certainly sympathetic characters, and lovable ones. They've got a different kind of rhythm to them, which makes them not just fun, but uniquely so. I cared about what happened to them. The plot of the book moves pretty swiftly as well. It held my attention and kept me guessing. Overall, though, the story didn't knock my socks off or anything. It's a decent book, just not an oh-my-gosh-you-need-to-drop-everything-and-read-this-now one.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a little of The Danger Box by Blue Balliett)
Grade: B-
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for scary situations
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Hold Fast by Blue Balliett from the generous folks at Scholastic. Thank you!
Friday, May 10, 2013
In a Word: Forgettable
6:22 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Even in the last human enclave left on Earth, Marina doesn't fit in. She's an anomaly, a miracle, a freak—she's the only person who's ever returned from the Dark alive. People look at her with awe. And distrust. And fear. Many would just as soon throw her back out, give her to the Fade, which hunt her relentlessly. If the humans huddled inside Arclight sacrificed Marina, maybe the monsters of the Dark would leave them alone, allow them to dwell in (relative) peace. Maybe.
Marina's not sure what to think of herself either. She has no memories of who she is or where she lived before being found by a team of Arclight rescuers. How she survived out in the Fade-infested Dark, a feat managed by no other human, is anyone's guess. Marina knows she's no tougher, no less fearful, no different than any other teenager. So, how did she do it?
When Marina discovers a terrifying visitor in her room, she starts to get an inkling. The Fade do want her, just for a reason no one could have imagined ...
...except me, because I totally saw it coming. Which, really, is the problem I kept running into with Arclight, a debut novel by Josin L. McQuein. It's like every other supernatural/horror dystopian I've ever read. The story actually starts out pretty strong, with plenty of action and mystery as well as a distinct narrative voice. But, it weakens as it goes. The plot's cliché, the characters flat, the writing average. In the notes I took while I was reading Arclight, I used one word to sump up my feelings about the novel: forgettable. Yep, that pretty much says it all.
(Readalikes: Reminded me a lot of Edge of the Falls by Nazarea Andrews; also a bit of Veronica Rossi's Under the Never Sky [Under the Never Sky; Through the Ever Night] series and Partials by Dan Wells)
Grade: C
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for violence and mild language
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Arclight from the generous folks at Greenwillow, a division of Harper Collins. Thank you!
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
TTT: Light, Fun Reads? What are Those?
1:00 AM
Oh, and I forgot to tell you that this always popular meme is hosted by the lovely ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish. If you haven't joined in the fun yet, give it a try. It's a good time, I promise!
So, okay, here's what I came up with:
1. Ally Carter—I recently read the first book in Carter's middle grade spy school series (I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You) and it was totally fun. Heist Society, her YA series, is similar. They're light, funny, enjoyable books that are perfect when you need a fast, breezy story to take your mind off the weighty things of the world!
2. Melanie Jacobson—If you're into LDS fiction (and I'm not talking the so-cheesy-it-hurts kind), Jacobson is your new best friend. Her new adult romances are contemporary, fun and better written than just about anything else you'll find at an LDS bookstore.
3. Lindsey Leavitt—Leavitt's middle grade Princess for Hire series offers a lot of good, clean fun. I also really liked Sean Griswold's Head, although it's a little more serious. I've got Leavitt's newest, a YA novel called Going Vintage, on my Kindle, I just haven't gotten around to reading it yet ... better get on that!
4. Janette Rallison—Fun, easy reads are Rallison's trademark. Her Fairy Godmother books are especially charming (a little princess joke—hee hee).
5. Meg Cabot—Okay, so I haven't actually read anything by Cabot, but I'm totally planning to. I've heard her books fit this category super well ...
6. Joanne Fluke—I'm not going to lie, Fluke's culinary mysteries are TERRIBLE. But, if I'm in the mood for something that's entertaining while requiring very little from my always overtaxed brain cells, these books do the trick every time.
Since I obviously need lots of help in this category, throw out some suggestions. Which light, fun books should I be reading?
Friday, May 03, 2013
Want to Live Longer? Try Living Like A Mormon.
3:37 PM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
If the general population knows anything about Mormons, it's that we avoid certain substances: coffee, tea, tobacco, drugs, alcohol, caffeine, etc. It's an avoidance that definitely sets us apart, not to mention helps us live longer.* Many people probably don't know the specifics behind why members of the LDS Church adhere to such a strict health code. Scott A. Johnson, an LDS naturopathist living in Utah, would like that to change. If non-Mormons followed the counsel given by the Lord to the prophet Joseph Smith (which is set forth in the 89th section of the Doctrine & Covenants) and Mormons paid stricter heed to it, he believes, all would benefit. Anyone who's been through Primary knows that the so-called "Word of Wisdom" is a principle with a promise to all who follow it. Johnson reiterates just what those promises are—good health, knowledge, energy, and the spiritual blessings that accompany obedience.
Johnson doesn't expect readers (especially those who are not Mormon) to just take it on faith. Not at all. In his new book, The Word of Wisdom: Discovering the LDS Code of Health, he goes through the Word of Wisdom with a fine-tooth comb, giving scientific evidence to support the principles within. He elaborates on many of the topics, including the dangers of eating too many animal products (including milk!) and the advantage of using herbal remedies to encourage the body's natural healing processes. While Johnson focuses on parts of the revelation which aren't usually emphasized (herbs, for instance), he backs up what he's saying with science, scripture, and personal experience. Still, Johnson's approach will no doubt feel a little radical to most of us. While I think nothing of abstaining from coffee, tobacco and alcohol (which I've done all my life, with no ill effects), I balk a little at the idea of shunning convenience foods in favor of organic ones. While I know it would be beneficial health-wise, it feels a little too granola girl for practical, uncomplicated me!
Still, Johnson brings up some great points, which definitely make his case for eating more naturally. What I feel is missing from his book, though, is practical solutions for busy individuals and families. To me, the information he presented felt overwhelming instead of encouraging. Plus, the book's written in a rather clinical way that makes it both very dense and a bit dull for the average reader. Even though The Word of Wisdom: Discovering the LDS Code of Health is less than 100 pages (not including Appendices), my attention wandered every time Johnson slipped into scientist-speak (which was often). Sometimes it felt like I was reading a Nutrition textbook, when what I really wanted was more of a handbook, with both basic information and ideas to help implement more healthful living into my daily life.
Overall, I think the book is helpful, well-written and full of sound principles. I just felt overloaded with information and under-armed with real-life solutions. In other words, I believe in what Dr. Johnson is saying (especially since he's reiterating what was said in a revelation I believe came from God), I just don't know how to do it, if that makes any sense. The book definitely made me think, though, and that's always a good thing.
* According to demographic research referenced in the book (resource listed on Page 117), LDS males in Utah live 7.3 years longer than their non-LDS counterparts, while LDS females live 5.8 years longer than non-member females in Utah.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade: B-
If this were a movie, it would be rated: G for nothing offensive
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Word of Wisdom: Discovering the LDS Code of Health from the generous folks at Cedar Fort via the author, Scott Johnson. Thank you!
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