A story of a girl missing, a girl saved and numerous who plummet someplace in between. All the characters are damaged and because of this, sympathetic. The characters pose the question when you become a victim, is it better to be killed or be a survivor. It examines what happens after a horrifying incident, how we are changed how we move on or why we don’t.
I found myself unable to put this book down. It is not possible to disengage from what is happening to all the characters psychologically, and because of this, it is an exhausting read. For those who have never experienced anything similar to the situation told in the story, hold on, because you are about to. For survivors of events, I warn the pages may contain a great deal of triggers that will be hard to get through. For example, there is a rape scene that is viewed from the perspective of the victim. Not a read to be considered lightly, but worthwhile to examine if you have the strength to face human helplessness and the grace to rise above it.
WARNING THIS IS NOT FOR YA AT ALL…THIS BOOK IS GRAPHIC AND VERY HARD TO READ ON MANY SENSITIVE SUBJECTS.
5 Stars
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Reading Lips by Claudia Sternbach
I am over run with memoirs and I still picked this one up but I am glad that I did. Claudia Sternbach’s memoir Reading Lips was a sweet, enjoyable read that takes an exceptional look at how life stories can be told.
Reading Lips is told mostly in sequential order, and Sternbach expertly changes her voice defining each time period accurately. In the early moments I was reminded of the voice used in Room (which is one of my favorites), and I loved to see the understated changes she made throughout the chapters to show her age and the time period as well.
The point of this memoir was not that Sternbach is a successful writerbut instead that there are moments that change us, all of us and kisses, from parents and loves, exist in these moments.
4 Stars
Reading Lips is told mostly in sequential order, and Sternbach expertly changes her voice defining each time period accurately. In the early moments I was reminded of the voice used in Room (which is one of my favorites), and I loved to see the understated changes she made throughout the chapters to show her age and the time period as well.
The point of this memoir was not that Sternbach is a successful writerbut instead that there are moments that change us, all of us and kisses, from parents and loves, exist in these moments.
4 Stars
The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern
The Book of Tomorrow is a journal which reveals the future. The entry that is going to be written tomorrow appears the day before. Tamara finds the book after her dad dies and she has to move, with her mom, to her aunt and uncle's house. Although her Aunt Rosaleen has an extremely peculiar way about her a deeper mystery unfolds and Tamara decides to solve it.
This book reads more as a YA than Adult Fiction. Tamara is a teenager with some typical smart-ass teen remarks that were amusing and delightful but they borderline on irritating and overdone. I had the same problem with the repetitive phrases that she was continuously pointing out. They were, at first, funny and added to her personality but I eventually just got sick of reading them.
The book had a bit of a slow pace throughout and I have to say, overall, it was good, not great.
3 Stars
This book reads more as a YA than Adult Fiction. Tamara is a teenager with some typical smart-ass teen remarks that were amusing and delightful but they borderline on irritating and overdone. I had the same problem with the repetitive phrases that she was continuously pointing out. They were, at first, funny and added to her personality but I eventually just got sick of reading them.
The book had a bit of a slow pace throughout and I have to say, overall, it was good, not great.
3 Stars
You Know When the Men Are Gone by Siobhan Fallon
You Know When the Men Are Gone by Siobhan Fallon is an amazing anthology of short stories about soldiers and their families living on the base at Fort Hood. Each story depicts a snapshot of home life with or without the man of the family present. Some of the men are in Iraq while others are on base or returning to base after their tour is completed.
The most touching story for me was Remission. Ellen Roddy's teenage daughter Delia has been acting out because of her mother's illness. While Dad, has stayed on base to help his family; he has been more caught up with the military than his family. I was in tears by the time I finished.
I highly recommend this book because it is a great read and because it will raise the level of awareness regarding the sacrifices soldiers and families are making to ensure our freedoms. I won’t take this for granted any longer.
5 Stars
The most touching story for me was Remission. Ellen Roddy's teenage daughter Delia has been acting out because of her mother's illness. While Dad, has stayed on base to help his family; he has been more caught up with the military than his family. I was in tears by the time I finished.
I highly recommend this book because it is a great read and because it will raise the level of awareness regarding the sacrifices soldiers and families are making to ensure our freedoms. I won’t take this for granted any longer.
5 Stars
Monday, May 2, 2011
The Cypress House by Michael Kortya
Very seldom does a book with strong authentic characters, an action-packed plot, and conversation so rich that you can submerge yourself inside it come along, well, The Cypress House is such a book.
Arlen Wagner is a man with a gift, he can see impending death. Having seen death reflected on the passengers of a train, he gets off with his travel companion and urges others to do the same. He and his younger friend, Paul, are the only passengers to get off and the only passengers that survive after the train heads straight into a hurricane.
Because of their change in plans, Arlen and Paul ultimately land at Cypress House, an isolated boardinghouse on the gulf where they meet Rebecca and enter a world ruled by Solomon Wade and filled with corruption and murder.
Michael Koryta is to be applauded on such an exceptional book!
5 Stars!!!
Arlen Wagner is a man with a gift, he can see impending death. Having seen death reflected on the passengers of a train, he gets off with his travel companion and urges others to do the same. He and his younger friend, Paul, are the only passengers to get off and the only passengers that survive after the train heads straight into a hurricane.
Because of their change in plans, Arlen and Paul ultimately land at Cypress House, an isolated boardinghouse on the gulf where they meet Rebecca and enter a world ruled by Solomon Wade and filled with corruption and murder.
Michael Koryta is to be applauded on such an exceptional book!
5 Stars!!!
The Poison Tree by Erin Kelly
The Poison tree is well-written, psychological thriller, one that just cries out to be read and discussed. Although I found it a bit disconcerting with early chapters switching between two time periods, it is really essential in the storyline. This ploy simply increases the building suspense as the story unfolds.
An unusual storyline from the voice of the protagonist, Karen Clarke, a young normal girl who just happens to be fluent in several languages, and throw her suddenly into a completely different culture and what is she to do? She meets the most eccentric person she can. Her meeting with Biba opens a whole new world to her, one she is not only introduced to, but embraces wholeheartedly. In 1990s London, the beautiful and bubbly Biba lives her life fully and dramatically, essentially the actress she wants to be. When she meets Karen, she brings her to her house, which is a domicile of many characters, some of whom live there with Biba and her brother Rex. Soon Karen is a constant visitor.
The book begins near the end, and then switches back to this carefree and exciting life, time and time again. We learn of old secrets that have a distinct effect on the brother and sister, and later newer secrets come between them. Karen can not tell her story alone without telling the story of Rex and Biba. Their lives and stories are tangled as one. These three are the main characters, but there are more roles to be played by lesser players. Still, they are all bigger than life and all play their parts boldly. The story unfolds between this wild beginning, fraught with suspense and lies, racing toward an unknown and unexpected tragedy. Clues and portents are sprinkled between these carefree days of one summer, building and building to an excruciating level. Murder, prison, life, loss, all wrapped up in one great read. Descriptive, alluring, and definitely atmospheric, characteristics run the range from innocence and trust to parties, drugs, drama, sex and lies. This is an extraordinary start to what I believe will be the first of many great reads from this author.
4 Stars
An unusual storyline from the voice of the protagonist, Karen Clarke, a young normal girl who just happens to be fluent in several languages, and throw her suddenly into a completely different culture and what is she to do? She meets the most eccentric person she can. Her meeting with Biba opens a whole new world to her, one she is not only introduced to, but embraces wholeheartedly. In 1990s London, the beautiful and bubbly Biba lives her life fully and dramatically, essentially the actress she wants to be. When she meets Karen, she brings her to her house, which is a domicile of many characters, some of whom live there with Biba and her brother Rex. Soon Karen is a constant visitor.
The book begins near the end, and then switches back to this carefree and exciting life, time and time again. We learn of old secrets that have a distinct effect on the brother and sister, and later newer secrets come between them. Karen can not tell her story alone without telling the story of Rex and Biba. Their lives and stories are tangled as one. These three are the main characters, but there are more roles to be played by lesser players. Still, they are all bigger than life and all play their parts boldly. The story unfolds between this wild beginning, fraught with suspense and lies, racing toward an unknown and unexpected tragedy. Clues and portents are sprinkled between these carefree days of one summer, building and building to an excruciating level. Murder, prison, life, loss, all wrapped up in one great read. Descriptive, alluring, and definitely atmospheric, characteristics run the range from innocence and trust to parties, drugs, drama, sex and lies. This is an extraordinary start to what I believe will be the first of many great reads from this author.
4 Stars
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Following the conclusion of the Hunger Games in the second book of Suzanne Collins series, Katniss and Peeta think that they're finally out of harm's way. Things may not be exactly as they would have expected but at least they're home. Little do they know however that their stunt in the arena in having a domino effect across the Districts. People are beginning to question the authority of the Capitol and President Snow isn't pleased. When the time comes for the next Hunger Games he has a surprise for them: the tributes for this years games will be made up of past winners. Since District 12 only has three living winners the odds are definitely not in their favor.
It's not very often that the sequel is better than the first but in the case of Catching Fire I definitely think this is the case. We know more about Katniss and Peeta now and we have watched them grow from the children they were in the first book to the strong leading characters they are now. The story is now even more tragic as the pair are faced with even more challenges and difficult choices. Just like the first one the pacing is perfect, it's action packed and keeps you interested.
Finally, I like this book better because the story, though still reminiscent of Running Man, was filled with benevolence and passion. It pulled at your spirit in away the first one didn't and gave you a lot to think about in regards to human compassion and selflessness. All in all a great sequel, that doesn't disappoint. On to Mockingjay.
5 Stars
It's not very often that the sequel is better than the first but in the case of Catching Fire I definitely think this is the case. We know more about Katniss and Peeta now and we have watched them grow from the children they were in the first book to the strong leading characters they are now. The story is now even more tragic as the pair are faced with even more challenges and difficult choices. Just like the first one the pacing is perfect, it's action packed and keeps you interested.
Finally, I like this book better because the story, though still reminiscent of Running Man, was filled with benevolence and passion. It pulled at your spirit in away the first one didn't and gave you a lot to think about in regards to human compassion and selflessness. All in all a great sequel, that doesn't disappoint. On to Mockingjay.
5 Stars
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