Another Really Long Walk - March 31, 2016

Trespassing Across America:  One Man's Epic, Never Done Before (and Sort of Illegal) Hike Across the Heartland by Ken Ilgunas
Publication Date - April 19, 2016
4 stars



Ken Ilgunas was working in the oil fields of Alaska when he realized first-hand how corruptive the oil pipelines were to the environment.  With no other real plans for his future, he decided to walk along the proposed path of the Keystone XL pipeline, beginning in Alberta, Canada and ending in Texas.  I feel as though I have read my fill of "hiking" memoirs and while I enjoyed them, I wasn't really eager to pick up another, however, I am very glad that I did.  Ken talks about his trip, the interesting people he meets along the way, the topography of the great plains and the environmental concerns of the future.  His descriptions of the plains are breathtakingly descriptive and I feel his environmental assertions are backed up with real research. Overall, I enjoyed this book and put it down feeling as if I actually learned quite a bit while reading it.  I received a copy of this book through Penguin's First to Read Program in exchange for an honest review. 

Imperfect World - March 30, 2016

Flawed by Cecelia Ahern
Publication Date - April 5, 2016
3.5 stars



I am a bit torn about this book.  On the one hand, I really found the dystopian-esque world unbelievable and inconsistent.  After economic collapse the world is sick of immoral businessmen and decision-makers.  To guard against these flawed individuals, a guild (separate from government) is created to judge citizens when they stray from being perfect.  This setup has its problem from the beginning but as they book continues, the rules and punishment just do not make sense and started to frustrate me.  However, the character development, forward momentum and actual writing of this book are really good.  Celestine is a pretty, perfectionist teenager who is dating the main Guild judge's son.  She always follows the rules and is an ideal citizen, until one day on a city bus she has a semi-breakdown that changes her whole life and marks her as flawed.  I thought this character was interesting as you really see in her mind the confusion as she tries to process and understand her own actions.  The fact that a perfect young woman becomes part of the flawed community spurs on a revolution of sorts and threatens all the Celestine holds dear.  There really isn't much romance in this book but instead a focus on family.  There are some dark scenes in this book, which took me by surprise, and I couldn't help but draw comparisons to episodes in real life.  I'm not 100% sold on this world but I will continue on with this series to see where it goes next.  I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Reader's Delight - March 29, 2016

The Books that Changed My Life: Reflections by 100 Authors, Actors, Musicians and Other Remarkable People Edited by Bethune Patrick
Publication Date - April 5, 2016
5 stars



This book is a reader's dream.  One hundred different known people talk about the book that had a major impact on their lives.  Amazingly, all of the books are different and not at all what you would expect.  There are some classics but also nonfiction and more popular fiction.  The diversity of individuals included in this book is also surprising (from Rosanne Cash to Melissa Rivers to Margaret Atwood) and not only do I have a new list of books to read but I also have a new list of people to follow.  Overall, if you like to read then this is a book you need to buy and obsessively read.  I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Romance Review - March 26, 2016

You Can't Always Get the Marquees You Want by Alexandra Hawkins
Publication Date - April 5, 2016
2.5 stars



Tempest and Chance come from families who have a horrible past and despise each other.  Neither know the reason for this hatred but know not to question it... until they meet, fall in love and do start to question it.  This book was well written and I was actually really invested in the story line for the first 3/4 of the book and then things just get a bit weird.  Without spoiling anything, I will just say that the ending does not resolve things enough and I felt a little uncomfortable with the relationship at the end.  I really liked the characters and I think there are lots of interesting characters to further this series, the last fourth of this book just really sort of ruined it for me.  I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Tudor Times - March, 25, 2016

The Lost Tudor Princess:  The Life of Lady Margaret Douglas
by Alison Weir
4 stars



I sat down a couple of nights ago and decided to read a chapter of this before bed, and surprisingly I ended up finishing the book in two days.  The life of Lady Margaret Douglas was full of that famous Tudor intrigue and makes for a fascinating read.  I find it amazing that these Tudor women, in a time that women were a possession, were so incredibly feisty and risked their life to advance the cause of their lineage, their religion and their offspring.  Lady Margaret was the only daughter of King Henry VIII's oldest sister, Queen Margaret of Scotland.  Her lineage from both England and Scotland was so pure as to be a constant worry to several monarchs from the two countries.  She had a loving marriage even though it was arranged and had an affectionate love for her two living sons, the eldest of which married Mary Queen of Scots and became the father of the future King James.  I found this book extremely readable (granted I have read many historical books on the Tudor, so this wasn't entirely new material).  I did find that the inclusion of so many sections of primary resources slowed down the reading and I wish more of that was summarized by the author.  I have read several of Alison Weir's work and always enjoy her passion and expertise on her subjects.  I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Best Discovery...EVER - March 22, 2016

The Tabasco Cookbook by Paul McIlhenny
5 stars



How did I not know this existed?  I am the Tabasco queen.  I lace my Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup with a healthy dose of Tabasco sauce for a bedtime snack.  I read this book like you would read a mesmerizing work of fiction.  Straight through... every word.  That said, I may be the perfect audience for this book and a bit biased.  There is a diverse array of recipes in this book and each recipe is marked with 1 to 4 bottles of Tabasco at the top in order to rank spiciness.  I have tried a couple of these and they were very good.  I have my eye on a couple of others and will try them out in the weeks to come. I think these would work for even those who are not big Tabasco fans and there is definitely a little something for everyone in this cookbook.  I received a copy of this book through the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. 

Beach Read - March 22, 2016

Best Friends with the Billionaire by Coleen Kwan
Publication Date - April 25, 2016
3 stars



Cassie and Kirk have been best friends since college.  Kirk is a billionaire from a respectable family while Cassie is an awkward tomboy from a family that disapproves of everything she does.  This was light fare, and I was on vacation so it was a good fit.  I thought Kirk could be a bit of a jerk and Cassie just let everyone walk all over her but they had some sweet moments and overall I enjoyed reading this book.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Speedy Romance Wrap-up - March 11 2016

The Study of Seduction (Sinful Suitors, #2) by Sabrina Jeffries
Publication Date - March 22, 2016
3 stars



Edwin has been assigned to escort Clarissa through the season to protect her from an unsavory suitor.  Edwin is serious and blunt, Clarissa is charming and effervescent.  When they are forced together, they must learn to accept each other at face value.  This was a good historical romance that I enjoyed reading, but I'm not sure I'd call it memorable or unique.  I've read several by this author and normally enjoy them more than this so I will pick up her other books.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 


Good Dukes Wear Black by Manda Collins
Publication Date - April 5, 2016
4 stars



This is the third in the dependably good Lords of Anarchy series, which I have read all three, and this is my favorite.  The Duke of Trent is the new president of the notorious club and hopes to clean up all the scandal that has plagued it.  A hard job when a member supposedly has his wife kidnapped and committed to an insane asylum.  Ophelia, a reporter for a ladies lifestyle magazine is good friends with the woman kidnapped and enlists the Duke to help find her before it is too late.  There is good chemistry between these two likable characters and I enjoyed reading from both perspectives.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 


Luck is No Lady by Amy Sands
Publication Date - April 5, 2016
4 stars



Twenty five year old Emma Chadwick has assumed the status of spinster in order to take care of her two younger seasons during their first season.  After their mother died of a prolonged illness, their father spirals into debt while gambling.  Now that he is gone, Emma must take control of her sisters and the family finances.  When she sees an advertisement for one of London's gambling clubs run by one of the most notorious men, she decides to put her accounting skills to use in trade.  Roderick Bentley is the bastard of two nobles who holds a grudge against the "ton".  Emma is someone that he can't quite figure out and that intrigues him.  This book was really well written with good dialogue and dynamic chemistry between the two characters.  The ending was weirdly vague, but I assume it is the set up for further in the series.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 


The One That Got Away by A.J. Pine
Publication Date - April 18, 2016
3.5 stars



I read this sweet book in one day as I held my breath for these two friends happy ending.  Jamie and Brynn have been best friends since middle school, and besides one brief kiss at seventeen, they have stayed that way.  Not that they are approaching their ten year high school reunion, they are reevaluating their relationship and what it would mean to risk losing each other.  I love the best friends on a road trip trying to figure out their feelings element.  For the most part, it was done well and I really liked these characters.  However, they were both pretty dense at times and the drama was dragged out a little too long.  Overall, I really enjoyed rooting for these two characters and their sweet romance.  I received an digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Wednesday Review - March 9, 2016

The Nest by Cynthia D' Aprix Sweeney
Publication Date - March 22, 2016
4 stars



Four siblings are awaiting the day when the youngest turns forty and they are awarded the trust fund they call "the nest".  With mortgages, debt, college tuition and desperation, they are dumbfounded when a strange stipulation allows that money to be spent in a surprising way. The book alternates perspectives and backtracks to show how these characters ended up in these situations.  These people are often unlikable and make deplorable decisions but are still in some ways worth rooting for in the end.   This book is just pure enjoyment. I received a copy through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. 

Weekend Wrap-Up - March 7, 2016

The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katrina Bivald
4 stars



At one time, I was a voracious reader from the Midwest who spent five months in Sweden so of course I was interested in reading about a voracious reader from Sweden who traveled to the Midwest.  Sara is invited to the small Iowan town of Broken Wheel by her pen pal and fellow reader, Amy.  Sara, a natural loner, is feeling a bit lost after losing her job at a bookstore so decides to accept Amy's offer.  Except, upon arriving, she finds that she has come just in time for Amy's funeral.  Sara is forced to face Broken Wheel and its inhabitants on her own and find a place for herself in the failing small town where no one reads.  This book is a love story to books and readers, and an absolute joy to read regardless of the somewhat unbelievable storyline.  I recommend this book to all booklovers who just want to be immersed in a fun story for a while.  I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
Publication Date:  April 5, 2016
4.5 stars



Fiction that explores the horror and bravery of history in such a beautiful and moving way needs to be read.  I have read several books about the Holocaust in the past couple of years and this is another that affected me deeply.  Following three different women in the years during and after World War II, this book examines survival of the worst atrocities.  Caroline Ferriday was a real woman who lived in New York City and worked at the French Consulate during the early days of the war.  She is remembered as a philanthropist that helped a group of Polish women, known as the Rabbit Girls, who were horrifically experimented on during their time in the Ravensbruck concentration camp.  This book alternates between three perspectives; Caroline, an imagined Polish woman named Kasia and Dr. Herta Oberheuser, a real woman, who was the only female doctor at the concentration camp.  This beautifully written novel is at times hard to read but I think that more of these stories need to be told, especially during a time when we are witnessing more outspoken hatred and fear.  I received this book from Penguin's First to Read Program in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Reviews - March 3, 2016

The Ukrainian and Russian Notebooks:  Life and Death Under Soviet Rule by Igort
Publication Date - March 15, 2016  *Different publication dates have been listed
5 stars



This haunting and horrific graphic novel depicts the actions of the Soviet government in the 1920's and 1930's against Ukrainian farmers.  This is an interesting mix of historical fact and interviews with people who lived through it.  The artwork is very good and even the texture and format of the book is beautifully done.  I will say that this is very hard to read and I had to take breaks after reading certain sections.  The level of violence and suffering that this depicts defies belief which is why this is such an important book to read.  It also gives a very good historical background for the current tumult in the region.  I received a digital ARC of this graphic novel through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 


The Forbidden Orchid by Sharon Biggs Waller
Publication Date - March 8, 2016
3 stars



Set in 1860's England and China, this young adult novel follows Elodie as she tries to save her family after her father fails to complete an expedition to find a rare orchid.  I enjoy historical fiction and this has a good set-up but it fell a bit flat for me.  I am not even sure how much summary to give because some of the most forward moving sections occur over halfway through the book.  So, while some parts were extremely interesting, others were boggled down with too much dialogue and little action.  I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Writers to the End - March 1, 2016

The Violet Hour:  Great Writers at the End by Katie Roiphe
4 stars



Katie Roiphe researches five writers and their deaths, Susan Sontag, Sigmund Freud, John Updike, Dylan Thomas and Maurice Sendak. The writer's approaches to death is about as different as the writers themselves.  I found this book interesting, strangely invasive and surprisingly thought-provoking.  There has been a lot written lately about the way those that live in the Western world choose to die, fighting to the very end without regard to expense or pain.  These artists cover the gamut of ways to die but what I found most interesting is the ways in which their earlier work played into their own concepts of death.  Well-written with lots of fascinating details, this book will be of interest to anyone who is familiar with these writers or who has an interest in end of life choices.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Reviews - March 1, 2016

Wedding Night With The Earl by Amelia Grey
3 stars



In the third book of the Heir's Club of Scoundrels series, Adam Greyhawke grapples with a new title, a new five year old dependent and a potential new love.  Adam has lived the past two years in Northern England after the death of his wife and baby during childbirth.  Wracked with guilt and heartache, he had no notion of abandoning his isolation until the surprise inheritance of an earldom forces him to London for the season.  Although he has no plans to ever marry again, he meets Katherine at the first event he attends.  Katherine has her own complicated backstory and they forge an immediate connection.  This is an enjoyable historical romance with likable characters and a sweet romance.  I did find it disconcerting that after spending two years in misery after the death of his wife he was able to find an immediate connection with a woman and think to himself that it was deeper than what he felt with his wife on their first meeting.  It felt a little quick to me and it colored how I read the rest of the book.  That said, I have read all the books in this series and while this one may not be my favorite, it was still an enjoyable read.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.