Reflective Life - March 29, 2017

This Is Really Happening by Erin Chack
Publication Date - April 25, 2017
4 stars




I started this book with absolutely no idea what it was about or anything about the author, and so was pleasantly surprised when during the first essay, the author talks about the darkly funny but unpleasant task of telling her college age friends that she has cancer.  It is about an obviously traumatic time in her life but it is so funny, even laugh out loud funny.  Erin Chack is a writer for Buzzfeed and has a healthy sense of humor towards her life and her work.  I really enjoyed most of this essay collection.  She does write from a very "millennial" point of view, which meant that I (a gen-Xer) didn't always find the over-the-top anecdotes amusing, but I am really excited to read future collections from this author.  I received this from Penguin's First to Read Program in exchange for an honest review.

Mixed Feelings About a Popular Series - March 29, 2017

The Mime Order by Shannon
3.5 stars




I am still processing my feelings about this series after reading the second installment.  The series concerns an alternate London where after Queen Victoria's reign ends clairvoyants begin to appear and were then persecuted for their gifts.  Paige is a powerful young clairvoyant who can dreamwalk, and enter into other's consciences.  The confusion of the first book is somewhat resolved in the second, or maybe I just got used to the language.  This book is more fast-paced and I felt like more the history of this world is explained more fully.  I think that what this series is missing is fleshed out secondary characters.  Mostly this story is about Paige and while friendships exist, she really doesn't value the friendships enough for them to play an important role and that is what I find most lacking in this series so far.  Such a complicated fantasy series needs more players and while there are certainly many characters, the main focus on Paige drags the story down at times.  I do like that this series has definitely gotten better as it progresses and I do plan to pick up the third in the near future.  I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

You're Not In Normal Kansas Anymore - March 27, 2017

The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel
3.5 stars



I don't even know how to begin to review this book.  The plot is so absolutely disturbing and creepy and may be a big issue for some readers.  I honestly just didn't think about it too hard.  Ultimately, the story revolves around Lane, who has returned to the house where her grandparents live, Roanoke house, to investigate her cousins strange disappearance.  The Roanoke girls have a tenancy to die young or just disappear and Lane thought she had escaped when she was sixteen leaving behind her beloved cousin and a toxic (yet hopeful) relationship with a local boy.  Lane is not always a likable character, which makes sense considering her background, but I still found myself hoping for her happy ending.  The mystery was pretty easy to solve but the real suspense is just how it all comes to light.  Like I mentioned before, the subject matter of this book will not be for everyone but it was extremely creepy and definitely atmospheric.  I am very interested to see where the author goes from here.  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. 

Weekend Review - March 27, 2017

Last Night With the Duke by Amelia Grey
3 stars



A youthful scandal, in which three rakish dukes play a mean trick on innocent young debutantes, has once again entered the gossip sheets affecting the Duke of Griffin's twin sisters first season.  He sets out to find them the perfect chaperone and instead finds much more than he bargained.  I have read several of this author's books and they are dependably good.  This one is no exception, but it is very slow at points with a few contentious conversations between the two characters lasting way longer than they should.  I also thought the plot really interesting but actually wish it had been a bit more angsty.  I meant the trick these three men played was pretty mean so they should be a little more sorry for it than just what it means for their sisters.  I hope this is examined more with future characters.   I will continue to read this series because I feel like there could be a really good story here.  I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Never Too Late to Reinvent - March 23, 2017

The New Old Me by Meredith Maran
Publication Date - March 14, 2017
4 stars



Meredith Maran was sixty-two when she divorced her wife and started a new job in a new city.  Far from friends and felling bereft and alone, she is forced to evaluate her own ideas of friendship.  Even though I am very different form the author, I found her later in life reinvention reassuring and affirming.  I made the mistake of researching the author and found she had a troubling period in her past that she completely leaves out in this book, which is probably for the best.  Taken alone, this book is an inspiring read for women in all stages of life.  I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Beach Read - March 22, 2017

Saving Grace by Jane Green
3.5 stars



This is the epitome of a quick, fun, creepy beach read.  I haven't had the best luck lately with Jane Green novels, even for the beach, but this was just really interesting and readable.  Grace is a frustrating character who gets walked on by her famous author husband.  When they hire a new assistant, Grace's uneasy feelings toward her and her fear of falling into mental illness creates a claustrophobic and eery cautionary tale about the age of Craigslist.  Easy to devour, I really enjoyed taking this book on my spring break.  I received this (ages ago) from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

What's Behind a Life - March 10, 2017

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
4 stars




This book ended up being so much more than I first assumed. It actually took me a couple of tries to get into it and keep reading.  The first chapters are really just Ove's complaints about basically everything.  Once I did keep reading though, I really fell into this book and by the end was so committed that I was sorry it was over.  Ove is definitely a bitter and unhappy man in his late fifties.  What makes him that way is slowly revealed over the course of the book.  What results is one man's life, the tragedy, the love, the grief, friendships, enemies, and everything one life comprises to shape a human heart.  It is also about friendships and the different ways family can be formed.  I really enjoyed this book once I got past the first 1/4 and now see what all of the hype surrounding this book is about.  I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

A Marriage - March 9, 2017

Hourglass:  Time, Memory, Marriage by Dani Shapiro
Publication Date: April 11, 2017
4 stars



As the author looks back at eighteen years of marriage, she evaluates the tragedies, health scares, and sacrifices that comprise of a marriage.  Her husband, a former war correspondent, is struggling to find his footing in the screenplay business while she supplements her writing career by teaching seminars.  The struggle of two writers to make a living, even as they enter middle age, takes a toll on the marriage but also highlights what they have already overcome.  This is a quiet memoir, and one that anyone that has been married for years can recognize.  It is short and sometimes feels as if she is stretching to find material to even fill that length, but it is beautifully written and a very honest account of marriage in the later years.  I received this from Penguin's First to Read Program in exchange for an honest review.

Story of a Refugee Family - March 7, 2017

The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui
5 stars



This may be the best graphic novel that I have ever read.  The gorgeous artwork provides a moving backdrop to the author's reflections on her family's history in Vietnam, as refugees fleeing the aftermath of war, as immigrants starting over in a new country and as her own journey as a mother.  Important, timely and beautifully depicted, this graphic novel perfectly illustrates the pain, fear and emotional toll that living in a war-torn country inflicts on individuals.  I highly recommend this novel and hope that it is widely read.  I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

When In Rome - March 7, 2017

The Confessions of Young Nero by Margaret George
Publication Date: March 7 2017
3.5 stars



Almost a decade ago, I plowed through all of Margaret George's work to date and was immensely pleased by the fact someone could so deftly recreate long ago time periods.  When this book came available, I jumped a the chance to experience Roman history in George's words and to see if my pleasure of her writing stood the test of time... and it did, mostly.  Nero, like many of these ancient Roman Emperors, is mostly known through rumor and the writing of his enemies.  This book follows most of the first part of his life, beginning as a young boy and going through his initial reaction to the burning of Rome.  In this rendition, he is not completely a bad person but someone dealing with vindictive, suspicious and power-hungry family members.  Murder of close family becomes such a regular aspect of his life that it eventually becomes expected.  I thought the atmosphere of Roman civilizations was well developed in this book and I loved the history that she included.  Anyone familiar with Roman Emperors knows the amount of scandal involved and while it is included, I felt it mostly skimmed over so the lurid details weren't really included.  I found the writing somewhat simplistic and Nero's introspection grew tiresome at times, however, I enjoyed this detailed look into a possibly misunderstood ancient leader.  The book ends abruptly but George states in her afterward that  sequel may be in the works.  If that is indeed the case, I will definitely be picking it up.  I received this book from Penguin's First to Read Program in exchange for an honest review. 

Unicorn Adventures - March 6, 2017

Unicorn Crossing (Heavenly Nostrils #5) by Dana Simpson
Publication Date:  March 28, 2017
4 stars



I started reading this series when I picked up my eight year old daughter's library book.  I continued reading this series when I found myself laughing out loud at the exploits of Phoebe her unicorn friend, Heavenly Nostrils.  It is slyly clever and I'm pretty sure some of the humor is aimed at the adults reading this (even though it is all appropriate for kids).  Funny and full of witty insight, this is definitely a series my daughter and I will continue to read.  Received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review 

Short Romance Round Up - March 4, 2017

This is a round up of short, one-sitting, romance reads.  All under 200 pages and 3 or more stars, these are good palate cleansers after reading heavier books or good books to keep on your phone for fast waiting room reading. 

Contemporary Romance:


The Perfect Bargain by Jessa McAdams (aka Julia London)
4.5 stars



Sloane, heartbroken and insecure after a broken engagement, travels to Scotland to escape her meddling friends and their attempts to find her a boyfriend.  While there, she pays the local bartender to be her fake boyfriend when her friends arrive.  Galen's pub is struggling and he needs the money Sloane offers and is a little intrigued by the tight laced woman.  The plot is pretty ludicrous but it doesn't matter because this short book is so good and had me smiling the entire time.  It is probably one that I will return to when I need a pick-me-up.  Received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 



Her Perfect Prince by Madeline Ash
3.5 stars



As teenagers, Dee and Jed had a sweet relationship that was just turning into romance when he abruptly moved away without any word.  Fast forward ten years and he suddenly appears in Dee's life as abruptly as he disappeared.  As Dee helps Jed uncover his past, she worries that she is once again falling for a man who can't stay in one place.  This is a cute novella with a fun storyline.  I liked that they had a prior relationship which is often necessary for shorter books and this one worked well.  The characters were not always very likable which is fine if there is time for them to evolve but in a shorter book it didn't work quite as well.  I am interested to read other books in this series though, as it is very fairy-tailesqe.  Received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 


Saving Grace by Kristen Proby
3 stars



Grace is a klutzy woman who's friends decide to gift her with ski lessons so that she can safely attend a bachelorette party.  While there she mistakes the billionaire lodge owner with her ski instructor and sparks fly as he tries to teach her to ski.  This is a fun, light-hearted story with good character chemistry but the klutzy woman trope is so overdone and the bedroom scenes were somewhat spicy but also fairly cheesy.  Fun, quick read if not a lot of substance.  Received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review 



Historical Romance:

Sebastian's Lady Spy by Sharon Cullen
4 stars



Sebastian and Gabrielle had a three day affair before their occupation as spies send them in different directions.  It took a long time for Sebastian to get over the short romance and so he is chagrined to realize he is being paired with Gabrielle for a case.  I have read many of Sharon Cullen's books and they are all relatively short but consistently well written with likable characters and lots of chemistry.  Received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 


The Unforgettable Hero by Valerie Bowman
3.5 stars



An impoverished romance author hits her head and believes she is in her romance novel and the man who helps her with the dashing Duke from her book.  I liked both of the characters and their relationship, however, they didn't interact enough to make the quick romance too believable.  This novella definitely felt like a place holder and a way to reconnect with other characters from the series than its own romance.  Overall, thought, this was a nice, quick read by a reliable author.  Received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 



Tycoon by Joanna Shupe
3.5 stars



This book is a prequel novella to a series so in many ways it is setting up the time and place that the series revolves around.  I really liked  the New York, Knickerbocker, setting which is unusual in the Historical Romances.  The characters, trapped together on a train, have good chemistry but the plot itself is a bit ridiculous and I'm not sure some of the ludicrous scenes were necessary because the characters themselves carry this story.  Received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fantastically Creepy - March 2, 2017

Things We Lost in the Fire: Stories  by Mariana Enriquez
4.5 stars



As someone who is not a big fan of short stories or of anything scary, it is surprising just how much I loved this book.  Comprised of twelve stories set in Argentina, this novel contains ghosts, spirits, monsters and other bits of unimaginable creepiness while also exploring poverty, relationships, adolescence and mental illness.  The stories are creepy and often macabre but so fascinating and I would keep reading just to see what she came up with next.  I look forward to following this author and reading what else she writes.  I received this book from the Blogging for Books Program in exchange for an honest review.