Swinging on a Pendulum - January 31, 2017

Everything You Need, You Have:  How To Be At Home In Your Self
By Gerard Kite
3 stars



I will preface this review to say this is not normally a book that I would be interested in, but the current divisive political climate has had me turn to books to find ways to healthily cope.  I thought this one was ok.  I enjoyed the first chapter concerning the pendulum and felt that was a great way to visualize taking a step back and finding calm in the midst of craziness.  The rest was fine but for such a short book, it felt a little too complicated and lacked in real-world examples.  I can see how this book could be useful to some people but it just wasn't the book for me.  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. 

Early Week Reviews - January 31, 2017

The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak
Publication Date - February 7, 2017
3.5 stars




Billy Marvin has one interest, and it doesn't help him with his social or academic life, until he finds the one other person that shares that interest completely.  It's the mid 1980's and Billy spends most of his free time either programming games on his Commodore 64 or hanging out with his two best friends, also outcasts, who are obsessed with obtaining the newest issue of Playboy with Vanna White on the cover.  As his friends set about plotting a scheme to steal the magazine from a local store, Billy uses it as an excuse to befriend the store owner's computer-obsessed daughter.  The life and inner workings of fourteen year old boys is believable and I adored the descriptions of the early computer games that I played as a child. This novel is incredibly fun so when it does try to tackle some harder issues it doesn't quite feel sincere but overall I inhaled this nostalgic look back at a time when computers were young and the internet was almost nonexistent.  I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.




My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
Publication Date - February 7, 2017
3 stars



Cat (formerly Katie), twenty-six and just starting her new career in London, admires her seemingly perfect boss even as the atmosphere in the office is falling apart.  When Cat loses her job, she returns back to her family farm and is forced to question the existence of the "perfect life." I normally enjoy Sophie Kinsella's books but am not a big fan of her somewhat slapstick humor and this book, unfortunately, contains a healthy dose of slapstick.  I do think that the book made many good points on appearances being deceiving and overall it is a sweet story, which is why I still liked reading it and will continue to pick up her novels.  I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Week in Review - January 26, 2017

The Animators by Kayla Rae Whitaker
Publication Date - January 31, 2017
3.5 stars



When Sharon leaves rural Kentucky to attend college, she is leaving behind a family that doesn't get her and her obsession with cartoons and animation.  As soon as she meet Mel, she knows she has found her partner and their work together spans decades, relationships and much drama.  It took me a while to get into this book.  The pacing is slow and the characters are extremely frustrating, however, the story does lead to growth and has subtle ruminations on passion, relationships and family.  Overall, this is a strong début that really deserves a complete reading to get the complete story.  I received this book from Penguin's First to Read Program in exchange for an honest review. 




What Stands in a Storm:  Three Days in the Worst Superstorm to Hit the South's Tornado Alley
By Kim Cross
4.5 stars



In 2011 an unprecedented number of large tornados ripped through Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.  Meteorologists, long time storm followers and many residents had never seen the danger and devastation that this day wrought.  I went into this book expecting more science and maybe minute by minute reporting.  I did not expect an emotional roller-coasting that helped restore my faith in humanity.  The author chose a couple of likable meteorologists, a handful of college students, and other citizens and followed in detail their actions during the impending storms.  At first, I wondered about the little details that she includes but eventually it all adds to the heart-stopping events of that day.  What stands out to me is the way these communities, and outside communities, came together to help out.  Political, religious, and class distinctions didn't matter as all hands were needed which is really something that I needed to read about during this time of extreme divisiveness.  This is an excellent example of detailed and involved reporting.  I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 




The Folded Clock: A Diary by Heidi Julavits
3 stars



Heidi Julavits discovered, as most of us do, that as she got older time went by faster and the smallest amount of time to judge was no longer a day or even a week but that time moved by months.  In order to slow down the days, she decided to keep a diary as she did in her youth.  I really liked the idea behind this book, however, it would be extremely hard to write the book in the way that she did without sounding completely self-involved and neurotic.  After a while, I got somewhat bored with her voice and opinions and really didn't feel she always had something interesting to discuss.  So, while I appreciated the idea behind the book, I'm not a huge fan of the book itself.  I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Monsters - January 20, 2017

At The Water's Edge by Sara Gruen
4 stars



Madeline is living the high life in war time America with her husband, Ellis and best friend, Hank, when one party too many leaves Ellis without any family money.  As Hank and Ellis are ineligible to fight the war, they decide to pursue a different monster all together in Loch Ness.  As they recklessly cross the submarine filled ocean to war weary Scotland, Maddie begins to learn exactly what she and her husband are made of, and it may not be the same stuff.  A compelling story with interesting side characters, I found myself immersed in the small town on the Loch.  Some of this was not quite believable, and I'm talking more about relationships and personalities and less about monsters.  Overall, though, I continue to enjoy this author's books.  I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Clancy of Queens - January 20, 2017

The Clancys of Queens by Tara Clancy
4 stars



Tara Clancy grew up with her sprawling Italian family in Queens, New York.  Her memoir focuses on her childhood into young adulthood with amusing anecdotes about her outspoken family and diverse neighborhood.  What's interesting is that the author and I are of a similar age but as I grew up in a small Midwestern university town, we might as well be from different countries.   There are times this book grew dull as she recounted very detailed childhood events, but her voice and humor shine through.  She is a talented writer and I look forward to see what else she is working on.  I received this book through the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. 

My New Favorite Romance Series - January 19, 2017

Between the Devil and the Duke by Kelly Bowen
Publication Date - January 31, 2017
4.5. stars



Alexander Lavoie, an infamous gaming hell owner, has noticed the mysterious young woman who play on of his tables and always leaves with a purse full of money.  He can't quite figure out who she is and what she is about... and its his job to know everything about everybody.  Angelique's family fortune has somehow completely disappeared and her wastrel brother is not helping anything at all.  Using her genius-level math skills to win at cards is the only thing keeping them afloat.  I absolutely adored both of these characters, their dialogue, their chemistry, everything really.  The whole series has been wonderful and while you don't have to read the rest of the series to enjoy this book, I would highly recommend starting at the beginning.  And, Kelly Bowen if you are reading this, I must read a book about King...I must.  I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

A Meaningful Life - January 17, 2107

A Meaningful Life: Crafting A Life That Matters by Emily Esfahani Smith
4.5 stars



I picked up this book intending to dip in and out as the mood fit, however, I ended up reading it from start to finish rather quickly.  Emily Esfahani Smith begins with the assertion that studies have shown that fleetingness and fickleness of happiness has very little to do with depressed or suicidal thoughts,  but rather is greatly effected by whether one's life is perceived to have meaning.  She then provides chapters on different interpretations of meaning and snippets from people who have overcome great odd by finding meaning in their lives.  I thought this was incredibly well researched and written with very interesting and inspiring ideas that are especially relevant in our current, somewhat toxic, environment.  I would highly recommend this to people who are still suffering the affects of the 2016 election cycle.  I received this book from the LibraryThing giveaway in exchange for an honest review. 

Weekend Review - January 16, 2017

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
4 stars



A beautiful mix of fairytale and fantasy, this book explores a family's life in the cold north of a fantastical Russia.  Vasilisa was born with magical abilities handed down from generations of the women in her family.  This book is incredibly atmospheric and the writing, while slow, is exquisite and I look forward to future books from this author.  I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

The Not So Secret Lives of Teens - January 14, 2016

The Most Dangerous Place On Earth by Lindsey Lee Johnson
4 stars



It took me a while to process this book, mostly because I have children and I found many episodes in this book really disturbing.  In a wealthy suburb of San Francisco, a middle school is rocked by a tragedy involving instances of mostly online bullying.  Fast forward to junior year and the incident, while never discussed, reverberates among the students and faculty.  Miss Nicoll is a young teacher, young enough to remember her own insecurities in high school, and is drawn to these turbulent students to an alarming degree.  Her narrative is interspersed with a student's perspectives, which while also disquieting, at least provide a bit of background for their behavior.  Although I definitely had problems with this book, once I started reading I could not stop and am still considering these people's behaviors days later.  I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Tuesday Reviews - January 10 2017

Born a Crime:  Stories From A South African Childhood
By Trevor Noah
4 stars




Trevor Noah, host of the Daily Show, grew up in South Africa.  The end of apartheid came when he was a child and he was witness the lasting effects that the police state had on his society.  Told with humor and positivity to reflect on difficult situations, Noah discusses his adoption of a chameleon like persona in order to fit as someone with a white father and black mother, a crime at the time.  Besides occasional repetitiveness, I thought this memoir was really well done and I look forward to reading more from him.  Especially, how he ended up in the United State.  I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 



A List of Cages
By Robin Roe
3.5 stars



This story follows two different perspectives.  Julian is a freshman who lost his parents young and has been living with his abusive guardian.  Adam is a senior whose house Julian stayed as a foster child in the months immediately following being orphaned. This is a great story of what a friendship can be and how kindness prevails.  Julian's view is haunting and heartbreaking and Adam is a likable character, however, he felt a little too perfect a character at points.   I also felt that the adults in this story were sidelined in this book which made the last half fell somewhat unbelievable.  Overall,  this is an good young adult story about friendship.  I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 



The Second Mrs. Hockaday
By Susan Rivers
4 stars



Told in epistolary form, this novel explores the first years of marriage between an innocent young woman and a soldier in the civil war.  Griffyth instantly decides to ask for Placidia's hand in marriage the first time he lays eyes on her.  Immediately after the marriage, his second, he leaves to go fight in the civil war, leaving Placidia alone to manage the farm.  This novel explores the isolation and violence she encounters while trying to hold everything together in her husband's absence.  The whole book is a puzzle with each letter adding a different piece to the mystery behind what happened to Placidia during this time.  I liked the format and while it distanced the characters some, overall I enjoyed it.   I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Faith and Art - January 5, 2017

Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art
By Madeleine L'Engle
4.5 stars



Madeleine L'Engle, author of A Wrinkle in Time, is often categorized as a Christian author.  In this memoir she explains what it means to be a Christian author, how that moniker can pigeon-hole authors, and how all art can be Christian even if its purpose is not.  It has been decades since I have read any of the authors books but I do remember the feeling as a child of immersing myself in the worlds she created.  She makes very good points about faith and the creation of works of art, whether it be music, painting, or writing.  I did not feel that she used a narrow definition of faith, even though she obviously comes from a Christian perspective.  My copy of this book is filled with underlining and I found much comfort in what she has to say.  This book is not always linear, and there are occasional tangents that left me confused, but if read slowly this is an extraordinary meditation on faith and artistic endeavors.  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. 




The Private Lives of the Tudors: Uncovering the Secrets of Britain's Greatest Dynasty
by Tracy Borman
4 stars




My endless fascination with the Tudor dynasty causes me to pick up almost every new nonfiction book written about them, even though very little is new information by this point.  This book covers King Henry VII to Queen Elizabeth and provides an overview of their reigns with very exacting details of what life in the palaces was like.  This includes their meals, clothes, room set-up, roles of their servants and even more squeamish details about their personal hygiene.  This is a long, detailed book but I enjoyed reading it and found some new material that I had not read about before.  I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Should Artists Starve? - January 2, 2016

Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living by Manuela Martin
4 stars



I always pick up these books about the art of writing, even though I am not a writer and don't plan on becoming one.  Really, I am just a reader who loves books and anything to do with books, even the behind-the-scenes look at creating books.  This collection includes essays and interviews with a diverse array of writers about their financial situation, whether or not they have been able to support themselves on writing alone and whether or not that is even advisable.  My plans to dip in and out of this book were abandoned as I ended up devouring each essay and interview.  I wonder,if I was a writer, would I find these stressful, reassuring or affirming?  I'm not sure but I very much enjoyed learning about the truth behind the starving artist cliché.  I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Romance Review - January 3, 2017

Ready, Set, Rogue by Manda Collins
3.5 stars



Four young women, all scholars, are notified that a beautiful estate has been left to them by a recently deceased benefactor.  The benefactor's nephew, upon learning of the will, hurries to the estate so that he can recover the land for his family.  On the way he meets one of the young women, Ivy, and their antagonistic relationship is enhanced when they join forces to solve a murder case.  There were many things that I enjoyed about this historical romance, the storyline, the different personalities of the four women (although I loathe how often the word "bluestocking" is used to describe them) and the way all of the characters interact.  I thought that the relationship between Ivy and Quill was sweet but was somewhat lacking in chemistry and originality.  My final opinion of the book is that is a sweet, enjoyable romance but I'm not sure it is one I will take much time thinking about.   I do look forward to the next book in the series about Daphne and the Duke of Maitland and am extremely curious to how it will be portrayed, so I am glad that I read this installment to set me up for the future books in the series.  I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.