Recent Reviews:
Without You, There Is No Us: My Time with the Sons of North Korea's Elite by Suki Kim (received through Blogging for Books)
4.5 stars
Journalist Suki Kim was presented with the opportunity to teach at a privileged, and unusual, school newly opened in North Korea by Missionaries. She spent her time covertly writing her book and getting to know the sons of elite members of the DPRK. The author excels at capturing the repressive and claustrophobic nature of the isolated country. She is constantly watched and must censor herself in every aspect of her life. The young adults that she teaches are basically brainwashed from birth to believe that everything about their country is superior in every way. This book marks the first I have read about North Korea and while I have read news reports, the insiders look was stunning to me. I did find that some parts of her reporting is vague and I am not sure if she left things out or else never really did discover why things occurred at the school. This book studies just one facet of one group in this country but it give an excellent glimpse into this strange world. The portraits of the students are unbiased and her own feelings of unease are unsettling. I definitely recommend this to anyone who would like a different and clear-eyed take on this country. I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.
Fever by Megan Abbott (received through NetGalley)
4 stars
One day, in the middle of class, Deenie's best friend Lise falls out of her chair and begins to convulse. From that moment forward, things are not the same within the school and among the teenage girls as one by one they begin exhibiting strange and worrisome symptoms. Are the mandatory HPV vaccines to blame or toxic lake water? These are the questions that parents are grappling with as they attempt to protect their daughters. I think Megan Abbott's writing is flawless and she packs so many high button issues on parenting and the environment while managing to tell a strange and mesmerizing story. I did find myself uncomfortable with her somewhat unfavorable depictions of women and teenage girls. They are seen as hysterical, disloyal and mostly unlikable. Regardless, I found this to be an engrossing book and one that I would recommend. I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Unwrapped by Massey Yates (received through NetGalley)
3 stars
Novellas and short stories are nice format for the holiday season and this is one of many that I have read so far. Sarah is a thirty year old woman living a repressed life after the death of her stern grandmother in a insular town. She resolves to change her life, starting with losing her virginity in a one night stand with a fascinating new stranger. Afterwards she discovers that the fascinating stranger is actually the father of her new kindergarten student and all sorts of complications occur. I liked the story and Sarah. I wasn't a big fan of Walker who used the terms like "baby" and such a little too much for me. Overall it is a nice, fluffy novella to read for the holidays. I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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