Pioneer Days

Prairie Fires: the American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline Fraser
4 stars

Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books have been read internationally and much loved by children and adults dreaming of simpler times.  This book goes behind the scenes of the books and tells the real story of Laura and her family and the tribulations glossed over in the series.  I loved this in depth look at a family, during a time in American life when things were changing rapidly and the life that Laura knew as a child had all but disappeared by the time she was elderly.  At times, especially towards the end, this had a bit too much detail and proved tedious.  Overall, though, I had a better understanding of the woman, her family and the pioneer myth by the time I was done reading.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

New Sedaris

Calypso by David Sedaris

4 stars

I’ve read most of David Sedaris’s work and I believe that this is his darkest collection.  It included essays about his sister’s suicide, his aging father and his life on the road.  At times, I couldn’t quit believe what I was reading but that is part of Sedaris’ charm, because it just didn’t matter.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Island Witch

Circe by Madeline Miller
4 stars

Taken straight from Greek myth, Circe is the goddess daughter of the Titan sun god Helios and a nymph.  Circe is at first unremarkable amongst the gods and nymphs of her father’s court, until it is established that she has gifts of sorcery and uses it to transform others into gods and monsters.  She is punished by being sent to an isolated island to live out her eternal years amongst lions and pigs.  Much research has gone into this novel and the Greek gods and heroes come to life in Madeline Miller’s writing.  I found myself often looking up different characters and feel as though I have learned a lot more about the Greek myths.  I am thankful to have received an digital arc of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

.

Definitely Hard to Put Down

Lies You Never Told Me by Jennifer Donaldson
Publication Date - May 29, 2018
3 stars



Following the perspective of two different high school students, Elyse and Gabe, this book tells the story of love, obsession, and all the teenage drama.  First, I will say that this book is easy to read and hard to put down.  The chapters are short and there was enough tension to make me keep reading.  The drama in this book is pretty crazy though, and not at all believable.  If you are able to deal with the unbelievability of the characters and the nutty situations the find themselves in, though, this is  pretty fun book to finish off in a few sittings.  I received a complimentary ARC of this book through BookishFirst in exchange for an honest review. 

Perfect Summer Read

The High Season by Judy Blundell
Publication Date - May 22, 2018
3.5 stars



Things are starting to fall apart for Ruthie.  She may be losing her beloved job as a director of a local museum, her estranged husband wants to sell their beautiful Long Island home and her fifteen year old daughter is hanging out with a harsh new crowd of girls.  The lovely town of Orient is trying to keep its laid-back culture in the face of an onslaught of glitzy new residents and Ruthie is hoping to hold onto everything she holds dear.  This book is a fairly typical beach read with lots of drama and over the top characters. What I thought this book does really well, though, is get inside the head of a middle aged woman experiencing an identity crisis.  Ruthie feels invisible and defenseless against the change going on around her and the intense rage she feels is just so, so relatable and real.  I received a complimentary ARC of this book through the Bookishfirst program in exchange for an honest review. 

Exciting New Fantasy World

Furyborn (Empirium #1) by Claire Legrand
Publication Date - May 22, 2018
4 stars



Set in a fantasy world, told from the perspective of two women living hundreds of years apart, this new YA book is an exciting addition to the genre.  Rielle has been hiding her powers for years, but when her prince, and best friend, is attacked she is forced to demonstrate the magic that is deep within her.  Once discovered, she is crowned the Sun Queen, but only she knows what her power really means.  Eliana lives hundreds of years in the future in the same land that only knows magic through old stories.  Her ability to rapidly heal is not normal, though, and many want to abuse her skills as a ruthless assassin.  Both of these women are interesting but what I am most impressed with this book, is the inventive world building and the ways in which it is all tied together.  I really look forward to reading the rest of this series.  I received a complimentary ARC of this book through the Bookish First program in exchange for an honest review. 

Midweek Review

Notes on a Foreign Country by Suzy Hansen
3.5 stars



Suzy Hansen is an American journalist who has lived in Istanbul for many years and was forced to examine her own country's involvement in Turkey's current political climate.  This book ended up not exactly what I expected, which was an in depth exploration of Turkey and other places in the Middle East, but instead is much more politically focus involving an in depth exploration of the United State's involvement in foreign affairs and the imperial undertones.  There are definitely good points and I learned a lot of interesting/frightening facts of my country's seedy underbelly, however, I was not always sure what point she was trying to make and many times it just felt repetitive.  This is an important book to read and even during the times that I struggled with it, I still felt that it is important to take a realistic look at the effects of interceding in other countries politics.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Weekend Reviews

Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan
4.5 stars



I held off on reading this book while it was still being highly reviewed (and many of them mixed) and I'm so glad I did because I really enjoyed this sweeping historical novel.  This book is about as different as can be from The Goon Squad, which I also loved, but like her former book is really well written with compelling characters.  Set in New York during World War II, following a young woman, her father and the mobster they were both involved with, this book is so beautiful and I didn't want it to end.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
Publication Date - May 15, 2018
3 stars



A young woman whose really got everything that she wants, life is irrevocably changed in an instant and she must learn how to live a happy life again.  Without giving away too much of the plot, I will say that I really liked this premise and some of the points it made about overcoming tragedy and moving on with a meaningful life.  I thought, though, that some of the story was just too easy and there was one cringe-worthy scene that almost made me quit reading.  So, overall, I have a mixed reaction to this book.  I liked it but also had a few issues with how the plot developed.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Monday Review

Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young
4 stars



It's been a long time that I have read a YA fantasy that I have enjoyed as much as this one.  Involving the story of two warring tribes that follow different gods, this has action, friendship, family and romance.  I thought this story was new and exciting and the characters well developed.  My only complaint is that with a so much going for it, it really should have been longer.  At about the two thirds mark, I wondered how it was going to be wrapped up so quickly (it is a stand alone novel) and it did feel rushed at the end.   Overall, though, this book is really good and reignites my excitement for the genre.  I received a digital ARC of the book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Romance Review

A Duke Like No Other by Valerie Bowman
3 stars



This is a continuation of Valerie Bowman's very long Playful Bride series and it has an interesting premise.  Nicole and Mark are already married but have been separate for ten years due to a weird misunderstanding.  Brought back together by dual circumstances, the sparks fly as they try to get to know each other again.  I enjoyed the chemistry of the two main characters but thought the backstory and plot was a little weak.  I've also read a lot of the books in this series but have completely lost track of the characters.  I'll continue to read this author's books as the majority are really entertaining even if this was not my favorite.  I received a digital ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Nonfiction Friday

Ghosts of the Tsunami by Richard Lloyd Parry
5 stars



In March 2011, a series of earthquakes leading to a deadly tsunami devastated northern Japan.  Parry, a journalist in Tokyo, traveled to the affected areas to speak with the survivors and families of those that perished.  He focuses on one elementary school, Okawa, and the missteps during the tragedy that left the majority of children dead.  This is definitely not an easy read and is absolutely heartbreaking even as it is beautifully written.  Many times, when these tragic disasters occur, the rest of the world moves on frighteningly quickly, but what is left of the people who are left to grieve the over eighteen thousand dead and who have to try to rebuild their lives?  It is important to have books that remind us and keep those people in our consciences.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 



Happiness is a Choice You Make:  Lessons from a year among the oldest old
by John Leland
4 stars



Experiencing his own mother's advanced age led Leland to spend one year interviewing six other individuals in their eighties and nineties.  What he discovered is that there is still hope for happiness when your body and health begins to betray you, it is just different from the happiness you experience when younger.  I really liked the second half of this book so much better than the first, when he devotes an entire section to each person and the wisdom he gleaned.  There isn't a perfect answer or formula for happy aging...just like there isn't for anything else in life and the best advice any of them gave is to just enjoy the small things in life and be happy for each new morning.  Advice that is always good to hear again and again. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Greek Life

Sorority by Genevieve Sly Crane
3.5 stars



I have a weakness for gossipy, dramatic insight into the lives of women and this book is definitely that.  Following the lives of many sisters in the same sorority, centering around the death of one of their own (I don't think this is a spoiler, it is mentioned early on).  This jumps around a lot in time and between fairly consistently unlikable narrators and it doesn't REALLY have a plot, so it may not be for everyone.  I thought it was a snarky, often disturbing read, though, and I pretty much devoured it.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.