Early 2015 Quickie Reviews

Okay folks, starting 2015 off with some fantastic reading!  I went on a beach vacay with my momma and we spent the entire time beaching it and reading (my favorite kind of vacation)!  I read quite a few books during this time and most of them were fantastic.  Here's a quick rundown:

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant - this was one of those books that's been sitting on my TBR forever and I FINALLY got around to it!  So glad I did - what a fascinating woman-centered look at a well-known Old Testament family. 4.5/5 stars.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel - what a unique dystopian literary fiction novel.  The book jumps between the past and the present illustrating the differences between society before and after the Georgia Flu.  Fascinating characters and imagining of a desolate American landscape. 4.5/5

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr - Gorgeous!  I absolutely loved this book - great characterization, lovely prose, unique take on WWII, etc.  Definitely read this if you haven't done so already! 5/5 stars

First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen - y'all know I love me some SAA so I was really excited to read her latest - and it didn't disappoint!  This book is actually a sequel of sorts to her popular Garden Spells.  It was fantastic to get involved with the Waverley family again.  This novel was all that readers expect from SAA: cozy, Southern, foodie, magical realism goodness! 4/5 stars

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins - this book is being called the new "Gone Girl" so I thought I'd give it a try and it was great!  Gotta love a good unreliable narrator thriller :) 4/5 stars

Paper Towns by John Green - such a fun book and I wanted to read it before the film comes out.  Loved the cast of characters and I think it could actually make a good movie too!  4/5 stars

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng - this was actually my least favorite of all of my reads.  It could be because I wasn't a fan of the characters (especially the parents) - as often that will cloud my opinion.  Unfortunately, it just didn't live up to the hype for me.  3/5 stars.

Aaand, I am partway through another book but as I'm still not finished I'll leave it off the list.  Phew!  Lots of reading!  Anyone have any beach vacations coming up?  If so, what books do you plan to bring along?

Latest Review: Three Souls by Janie Chang

Summary Blurb:
We have three souls, or so I'd been told. But only in death could I confirm this ... So begins the haunting and captivating tale, set in 1935 China, of the ghost of a young woman named Leiyin, who watches her own funeral from above and wonders why she is being denied entry to the afterlife. Beside her are three souls—stern and scholarly yang; impulsive, romantic yin; and wise, shining hun—who will guide her toward understanding. She must, they tell her, make amends.

As Leiyin delves back in time with the three souls to review her life, she sees the spoiled and privileged teenager she once was, a girl who is concerned with her own desires while China is fractured by civil war and social upheaval. At a party, she meets Hanchin, a captivating left-wing poet and translator, and instantly falls in love with him.

When Leiyin defies her father to pursue Hanchin, she learns the harsh truth—that she is powerless over her fate. Her punishment for disobedience leads to exile, an unwanted marriage, a pregnancy, and, ultimately, her death. And when she discovers what she must do to be released from limbo into the afterlife, Leiyin realizes that the time for making amends is shorter than she thought.

Suffused with history and literature, Three Souls is an epic tale of revenge and betrayal, forbidden love, and the price we are willing to pay for freedom.

 
My Blabberings:
It's been awhile since I've read some Chinese historical fiction and I'm so glad that I broke that streak.  I've never read much about the Communist movement in China so this time period was really fascinating for me.

I thought the characters were complex enough to be both realistic and sympathetic.  I loved Leiyin even though she could be naive and spoiled.  All of the secondary characters were also very compelling - whether they were villains, friends, or dwelling in a moral gray area.

My overall opinion was that this is a great historical fiction novel that also encompasses some of the mystic religious qualities unique to Chinese culture (Leiyin's yin, yang, and hun souls).  If you are a fan of Lisa See, Amy Tan, or just historical fiction in general - this is definitely a book worth checking out!

4.5/5 stars

Latest Review: Cloud Atlas (Movie & Book)

Goodreads Summary:
A reluctant voyager crossing the Pacific in 1850; a disinherited composer blagging a precarious livelihood in between-the-wars Belgium; a high-minded journalist in Governor Reagan’s California; a vanity publisher fleeing his gangland creditors; a genetically modified “dinery server” on death-row; and Zachry, a young Pacific Islander witnessing the nightfall of science and civilisation—the narrators of Cloud Atlas hear each other’s echoes down the corridor of history, and their destinies are changed in ways great and small.

In his captivating third novel, David Mitchell erases the boundaries of language, genre and time to offer a meditation on humanity’s dangerous will to power, and where it may lead us.

My thoughts:
I really loved this book.  I think that it came to me at a time in my life when I really needed a novel like this.  It's not an easy read and I don't know how readily I can recommend it to just any random person.  I think this would especially appeal to readers that enjoy a spiritual and/or revolutionary element to their reading.  The most compelling (aka page-turning) components of this book are the areas that involve conspiracies or revolutions.  However, my favorite storylines were actually the ones that were more quiet and character-driven.  

My favorite character of the book was definitely the charismatic composer Robert Frobisher.  His particular story was one that really spoke to me - who can read this book and not love this dashing fellow?  Robert's view of the choices he made toward the end of his tale helped me gain a different perspective on some recent difficult family events.  Sorry I'm keeping this vague but I don't want to ruin anything for those who haven't yet read Cloud Atlas.  

Also, I have to say that the reoccurring theme of reincarnation was really uplifting, even for the sadder storylines.  Let me get into things a bit further with my film review...here ya go!

4.5/5 stars (for both film and book)

Movie thoughts: 
Despite all of the lukewarm critic reviews, I was pleasantly surprised with the film adaptation of this book.  First of all, you can tell that the producers/directors of this film loved and respected this book.  The way they broke down all of the storylines into one film was genius.  They found parallel threads in each of the stories and interwove them perfectly (I might venture to say, they presented it in a more compelling manner than the book itself).  

I convinced four of my non-reader friends to see this movie with me - so obviously, none of them had any previous knowledge of the book.  They all really enjoyed the film (some even ventured to say that they loved it!) and understood the main points that the author was making with these intertwining stories.  Also, while some of the storylines were tampered with (including my fave Frobisher) I surprisingly approved of the plot alterations.  

I was blown away with how well they portrayed the main point of each storyline.  In fact, some of the storylines (especially Frobisher) evoked a much more visceral reaction than what I had while reading the book.  My favorite movie storylines: Robert Frobisher (more disturbing and moving in the movie...in the book he was just so likeable you almost couldn't take him seriously), Timothy Cavendish (movie version sooooo hilarious), Louisa Rey, and Sonmi 451.

The only problems I had with the film were some cheesy lines (that never existed in the book) and Old Georgie in the Zachry plotline...in the movie he was a weird green warty guy with a top-hat, WTF?!?  Otherwise, I thought it was one of the better film adaptations of a book...especially considering how complex and long this book is.

Overall, if you enjoyed the book, I don't think you'll be disappointed by the movie.  If you've never read the book and don't plan to...ignore the stupid leprechaun (aka Old Georgie) and enjoy a really good film adaptation of a very complicated book.

 

Latest Review: Code Name Verity

Gahhhh!  Awesomely capable female heroines, WWII military bad-assery, PLUS twists and turns galore - Code Name Verity is a serious gem!

Goodreads Summary:
I have two weeks. You’ll shoot me at the end no matter what I do.

That’s what you do to enemy agents. It’s what we do to enemy agents. But I look at all the dark and twisted roads ahead and cooperation is the easy way out. Possibly the only way out for a girl caught red-handed doing dirty work like mine — and I will do anything, anything, to avoid SS-Hauptsturmführer von Linden interrogating me again.

He has said that I can have as much paper as I need. All I have to do is cough up everything I can remember about the British War Effort. And I’m going to. But the story of how I came to be here starts with my friend Maddie. She is the pilot who flew me into France — an Allied Invasion of Two.

We are a sensational team.

My thoughts:  
Code Name Verity is another fave of 2012!  At first the book starts off a bit slow as you are reading the narrator "Queenie's" confession/story of her time working for the British War Effort.  After reading for a bit the reader realizes that they're missing something...Queenie's confession isn't quite what it seems.  I had several theories as to what I thought was going on and each of them was completely wrong!

The second half of the novel is written from a completely different perspective (that's all I'll say in order to keep this review unspoilery) and reveals all sorts of twists and turns.  Just as an FYI - you will shed a few tears (at least, I did) but they are well worth it! 

Recommended to those who enjoy well-researched historical fiction (especially WWII stories) and to those who like tales focusing on strong women and female friendship.  

4.5/5 stars

*Disclosure: received a copy from NetGalley for review.

Latest Review: Kushiel's Dart

GOODREADS SUMMARY:
The land of Terre d'Ange is a place of unsurpassing beauty and grace. It is said that angels found the land and saw it was good...and the ensuing race that rose from the seed of angels and men live by one simple rule: Love as thou wilt.

Phèdre nó Delaunay is a young woman who was born with a scarlet mote in her left eye. Sold into indentured servitude as a child, her bond is purchased by Anafiel Delaunay, a nobleman with very a special mission...and the first one to recognize who and what she is: one pricked by Kushiel's Dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one.

Phèdre is trained equally in the courtly arts and the talents of the bedchamber, but, above all, the ability to observe, remember, and analyze. Almost as talented a spy as she is courtesan, Phèdre stumbles upon a plot that threatens the very foundations of her homeland. Treachery sets her on her path; love and honor goad her further. And in the doing, it will take her to the edge of despair...and beyond. Hateful friend, loving enemy, beloved assassin; they can all wear the same glittering mask in this world, and Phèdre will get but one chance to save all that she holds dear.

Set in a world of cunning poets, deadly courtiers, heroic traitors, and a truly Machiavellian villainess, this is a novel of grandeur, luxuriance, sacrifice, betrayal, and deeply laid conspiracies. Not since Dune has there been an epic on the scale of Kushiel's Dart-a massive tale about the violent death of an old age, and the birth of a new.

MY THOUGHTS:  
So, this is one of the best epic fantasy novels I've read in awhile.  I put it up there almost with Patrick Rothfuss status - so you know that I really liked this book!

What I didn't like:

• It was sooo long!  I'm normally okay with this, but there are so many names to keep track of and so much action that takes place...I almost feel as if I read three books within the space of one.  Then, to top it all off, the ending makes it obvious that there is more story to tell.  I knew this beforehand, but after going through so much with Phedre I just felt too exhausted to embark on the next novel!

What I looooved (which is pretty much everything else):

• The world-building....wow.  Seriously you guys, the world building is absolutely top-notch in Kushiel's Dart!  I was completely immersed in this strange Europe-like polytheistic world with its various dens of iniquity.  
• Also, the characters were just so fully-fleshed and amazing!  I loved Phedre, Hyacinthe, Delaunay, Alcuin, Joscelin (he's my fave), and pretty much every single character she produced - they were all so real.
• Armchair reading (fantasy-style)!  You travel to so many lands, meet so many different people/entities, and witness such daring feats...that before you know it, you've chewed off all of your fingernails!
• Lastly, it was such an emotional roller-coaster - you never stop being interested.  It is such a multifaceted story: friendships, families, romance, betrayal, survival, and above all - hope!

What might bother others but didn't bother me:

• Um, the world in which Phedre exists is one where there is a very casual attitude towards sex and Phedre herself is a courtesan with special tastes.  The god Kushiel (her patron god) is the god of pain...so, uh, to sum it up she's into S&M.  For some folks this is an automatic turn-off, but hear me out!  While the book does let you know about episodes of er, pain and pleasure...it doesn't go into detail.  There are no explicit sex scenes - just a slight description of events without going into too much detail.  I thought it was tastefully done, considering the taboo subject matter.

So, there ya go folks!  I really really recommend this to fantasy fans and to those who love strong female protagonists.

4.5/5 stars

Other reviews:
The Introverted Reader 

Latest Review: To Say Nothing of the Dog

Goodreads Summary:
From Connie Willis, winner of multiple Hugo and Nebula Awards, comes a comedic romp through an unpredictable world of mystery, love, and time travel...

Ned Henry is badly in need of a rest.  He's been shuttling between the 21st century and the 1940s searching for a Victorian atrocity called the bishop's bird stump.  It's part of a project to restore the famed Coventry Cathedral, destroyed in a Nazi air raid over a hundred years earlier.

But then Verity Kindle, a fellow time traveler, inadvertently brings back something from the past.  Now Ned must jump back to the Victorian era to help Verity put things right--not only to save the project but to prevent altering history itself.

My thoughts:
I looooved this book!  Part time-traveling sci-fi, part mystery, part romance, part Victorian comedy - what's not to like??  Also, To Say Nothing of the Dog has bookish references galore!  Not only do the main characters mention the obvious allusion to Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog) by Jerome K. Jerome, they also discuss a variety of Agatha Christie novels, Sherlock Holmes mysteries, and Dorothy Sayers books.  I absolutely want to read the Lord Peter Wimsey series by Dorothy Sayers ASAP thanks to Verity's descriptions of the dashing Lord Wimsey.

While some of the mystery elements and outcomes of the romantic entanglements were quite obvious to me, this did not detract from my enjoyment of the novel.  All of the characters were extremely endearing and many of them were quite silly (and thereby hilarious).  The (mainly) Victorian setting was one of the most enjoyable aspects of the book - it really added to the absurdity of the many unfortunate predicaments Ned and Verity find themselves in.  Connie Willis is now one of my new favorite authors and I'll definitely be reading from her backlist!  I recommend this to everyone - especially those who enjoy Victorian settings, elements of time-travel and books bursting with humor!

4.5/5 stars

This fulfills my Science Fiction entry for the Eclectic Reader 2012 Challenge!

Latest Review: Back Roads

Goodreads Summary:
Harley Altmyer should be in college drinking Rolling Rock and chasing girls. He should be freed from his closed-minded, stricken coal town, with its lack of jobs and no sense of humor. Instead, he's constantly reminded of just how messed up his life is.

With his mother in jail for killing his abusive father, Harley is an orphan with the responsibilities of an adult and the fiery, aggressive libido of a teenager. Just nineteen years old, he's marooned in the Pennsylvania backwoods caring for his three younger sisters, whose feelings about him range from stifling dependence to loathing. And once he develops an obsession with the sexy, melancholic mother of two living down the road, those Victoria's Secret catalogs just won't do the trick anymore. He wants Callie Mercer so badly he fears he will explode. But it's the family secrets, the lies, and the unspoken truths that light the fuse and erupt into a series of staggering surprises, leaving what's left of his family in tatters. Through every ordeal, the unforgettable Harley could never know that his endearing humor, his love for his sisters, and his bumbling heroics would redeem them all.

Funny and heartbreaking, Tawni O'Dell's pitch-perfect characters capture the maddening confusion of adolescence and the prickly nature of family with irony and unerring honesty. Back Roads is a riveting novel by a formidable new talent.
 

My thoughts:
This book was the Btown Booksters choice for last month...and wow, we did not know what we were getting ourselves into!  Let me say first, I really liked this book.  HOWEVER, it is extremely disturbing and intense.  How about I put it this way...there's murder, child abuse, adultery and even worse things (that I can't say because it will spoil the book).  So, if you have a weak constitution when it comes to the dark side of human nature - skip this book.  Otherwise, I think it is a gripping novel that is definitely worth reading.

I really liked Harley, the flawed narrator, despite the fact that he's not exactly sane nor a necessarily good person (others in a group did not have such a favorable opinion of him).  I loved the fact that the reader discovers the twists and turns in the plot as Harley does.  I think that is why I felt so much sympathy for his character - we were going through this shocking experience together.

I read this book in two sittings as it is quite the page turner.  Family secrets, hidden truths, sexual impulses and the Altmyer family legacy of violence converge into an explosive ending.  If you can handle a really dark book - I highly recommend Back Roads.

4.5/5 stars

Latest Read: Warm Bodies

Publisher Summary:
R is a young man with an existential crisis--he is a zombie. He shuffles through an America destroyed by war, social collapse, and the mindless hunger of his undead comrades, but he craves something more than blood and brains. He can speak just a few grunted syllables, but his inner life is deep, full of wonder and longing. He has no memories, no identity, and no pulse, but he has dreams.

After experiencing a teenage boy's memories while consuming his brain, R makes an unexpected choice that begins a tense, awkward, and strangely sweet relationship with the victim's human girlfriend. Julie is a blast of color in the otherwise dreary and gray landscape that surrounds R. His decision to protect her will transform not only R, but his fellow Dead, and perhaps their whole lifeless world. 

Scary, funny, and surprisingly poignant, Warm Bodies is about being alive, being dead, and the blurry line in between.

My thoughts:
This oddly poetic story about a dystopian world filled with zombies was such a unique book.  I know that neither dystopian novels nor tales of zombies are new to the literary scene...but this book does something different than others that have come before it.  I don't want to go into too much detail about that because I'm afraid I'd spoil the novel.  Let me just say that the book allows you to strongly empathize with a zombie (and even care for him).  Also, the message of the book is quite beautiful.  Check out this little passage:

"'Everything dies eventually.  We all know that.  People, cities, whole civilizations.  Nothing lasts.  So if existence was just binary, dead or alive, here or not here, what would be the f*ing point in anything?'  She looks up at some falling leaves and puts out her hand to catch one, a flaming red maple.  'My mom used to say that's why we have memory.  And the opposite of memory--hope.  So that things that are gone can still matter.  So we can build off our pasts and make futures.'" -pg. 115

My only qualm (if I'm being super-persnickity) is that the ending seems to be a bit oversimplified or, um, vague.  I wouldn't have minded a bit more explanation of the conclusion (I can't say about what without spoiling...so I'll just leave it at that).  Really though, this barely bothered me...I'm just nit-picking.  I've read several rave reviews on the blogosphere about this book - which is the reason why I picked it up (I'll add links to their reviews at the bottom of this post).  I think that most people will find that they really enjoy this book.  As I said, it's not a typical read and even those that don't like zombie books will find themselves recommending it to others.  So, final word...go check out this book!

4.5/5 stars


Jenn's Bookshelves
Missy's Reads and Reviews

Latest Read: Heads You Lose

Publisher Summary:
Meet Paul and Lacey Hansen: orphaned, pot-growing twentysomething siblings eking out a living in rural Northern California. When a headless corpse appears on their property, they can't exactly dial 911, so they move the body and wait for the police to find it. Instead, the corpse reappears, a few days riper . . . and an amateur sleuth is born. Make that two.

When collaborators Lutz and Hayward (former romantic partners) start to disagree about how the story should unfold, the body count rises, victims and suspects alike develop surprising characteristics (meet Brandy Chester, the stripper with the Mensa IQ), and sibling rivalry reaches homicidal intensity. Think Adaptation crossed with Weeds. Will the authors solve the mystery without killing each other first?

What a unique little gem of a book!  This novel was extremely playful with its language and it seriously augmented my vocabulary.  I didn't even know some of these words existed before reading them (mostly in David Hayward's chapters) - for example: caliginous (misty, dim; obscure, dark) and asperous (rough; uneven).  There were hilarious messages between the authors separating the chapters.  They were honestly my favorite parts of the book...personal anecdotes that eventually erode into bitter (and funny) banter.  After Lisa's many complaints over David's pretentious vocabulary choices he cleverly disrespects her in Chapter 14...I literally laughed out loud. Also, there are footnotes throughout the story (inserted by the other co-author) that kept me snorting with amusement. Such a fun and quirky book!  To get an idea of the authors' relationship check out this fun little interview:



4.5/5 stars

Latest Read: Kat, Incorrigible

Kat, Incorrigible is a seriously fun read!  I was searching around for a book that I could recommend to my little sister and came across this delightful YA novel. 

Publisher Summary:
In this prim and proper world, twelve-year-old Katherine Ann Stephenson is at a loss: Her sisters, Elissa and Angeline, have recently entered Society and now gossip incessantly in whispers; her foolish brother, Charles,has gambled the family deep into debt; and Stepmama wants nothing to do with them at all.  What can Kat do but take matters into her own hands?

Luckily Kat has inherited her mothers talents and has the courage to use them - if she can only learn how.  But with her sister Elissa's intended fiance, the sinister Sir Neville, showing a dangerous interest in Kat's magical potential; her sister Angeline creating romantic havoc with her own witchcraft; and a highwayman lurking in the forest, even Kat's reckless heroism will be tested to the utmost.  Will her powers be enough to win her sisters their true loves? 

Since I share my name with the young title character I had to see what this book is all about!  Take romantic endeavors gone awry (a la Jane Austen) mixed with a spirited young protagonist (like Pippi Longstocking or Anne Shirley), sprinkled with a little magic and you have a good sense of this charming read.  Kat is such a spunky and endearing character...watching someone constantly get in trouble has never been so fun!  I also loved her sister Angeline as she's equally as feisty.  Compulsively readable, I flew through this book in one sitting.  My only complaint is that the book ended far too soon!  Go out and read this book ASAP, you won't regret it!

4.5/5 stars.

Latest Read: Room

Below is the "trailer" for the book Room by Emma Donoghue.  What a unique premise for a novel...very engrossing and thought-provoking.

The book is about a boy named Jack and his Ma who are trapped in Room (where he's lived his entire life).  Narrated by Jack, you are given a unique perspective of one who's only known captivity and whose reality is shaped by this unnatural occurrence.  It's an extremely quick read and one that will haunt you for quite some time.  I would highly recommend this novel for a book club...it easily lends itself to some great discussion.  In fact, I'm eager for a friend to read this so I can have someone to talk with about Room.  Really recommend this one!

4.5/5 stars.

Latest Read: The Hunger Games Trilogy

It's been awhile since I've read a YA novel...I think the last time was The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (which I highly recommend).  I was drawn to The Hunger Games series due to the vast amount of adoration and raving over this trilogy.  I feared that I would once again fall prey to having my expectations too high to be met...but thankfully, I feel these books more than fully deserve their praise!

 

I really can't reveal too much plot without spoiling it for those who haven't read it.   I knew nothing about the books except for their praise and I liked it that way...so I'd rather not talk plot.  I will say that this is a really easy trilogy to read.  Sometimes I'm hesitant to start a series due to the time commitment required...but don't worry about that with these books.  All of the novels are relatively short and incredibly quick reads due to the amount of action packed into their pages.  My favorite book of the three was the first (but all are great...and you won't be able to resist picking up the following novels in the series).  My only complaint about the trilogy is that I wish the author had fleshed out the ending of the last book a bit more...it seemed a tad abrupt (but I still liked it).  Overall, I really recommend...such a fun read, interesting premise, and wonderful characters!

4.5/5 stars.

Latest Read - Peace Like a River

Hello folks!  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and new year celebration!!  Through all the madness I finally managed to finish the book Peace Like a River by Leif Enger...what a beautiful piece of literature!

The best way that I can try to describe this novel is: a poetic, spiritual, modern-day western.  I know that sounds a bit strange but it is quite lovely.  The writing is superb and the characters are very well-developed...you feel as if you know them and they are such wonderful personalities.  The novel is narrated by an 11-year old asthmatic boy Reuben and  follows a family who embarks on a journey to save their outlaw brother/son.  

Now, if you're the type of reader who only enjoys a quick page-turner...this is not the book for you, the story and the characters develop slowly.  Also, there is much discussion of God, miracles, the Bible, etc.  This can be bothersome to some...however, I would not characterize this as a "Christian" book but rather a spiritual one.  Maybe that's due to my own upbringing or the fact that many of the main religions believe in the same God (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) and there's no evangelizing going on at any point.  Either way, if that's not your bag you may want to skip this book.  If neither the religious overtones nor the slowly unfolding storyline are a deterrent then I highly suggest this book.  I love the message, characters, and the wonderful story-within-a-story written by the sister Swede.

4.5/5 stars.

Next up...a little fantasy with The Name of the Wind!