Book Review: Goodnight June

Book Review: Goodnight June

Why I picked it: I will read almost anything written by author Sarah Jio, her stories are simply readable.

Goodnight June Publishes May 27 - a must read!

Synopsis: Goodnight Moon is an adored childhood classic, but its real origins are lost to history. In Goodnight June, Sarah Jio offers a suspenseful and heartfelt take on how the "great green room" might have come to be.

June Andersen is professionally successful, but her personal life is marred by unhappiness. Unexpectedly, she is called to settle her great-aunt Ruby’s estate and determine the fate of Bluebird Books, the children’s bookstore Ruby founded in the 1940s. Amidst the store’s papers, June stumbles upon letters between her great-aunt and the late Margaret Wise Brown—and steps into the pages of American literature

Quick Take: Goodnight June is the first book I have read in a long time that I read in a day or two.  I know what to expect from Sarah Jio, a well written story that's absorbing and pulls me from life for a few days.  She has a talent for weaving a current day story with the past.

What did I love about this book? The backdrop is a much loved children's bookstore, filled with first editions. June inherits but doesn't have time for the store, she's planning to close/sell the building until her Aunt sends June on a treasure hunt that uncover family secrets, including letters with the author of the much loved book Goodnight Moon.  While her family history begins to unfold, she realizes that her life in NYC may not be perfect and is forced to make decisions regarding her future.

Recommend for book clubs? Absolutely

Speaking of book clubs, the Manic Mommies Book Club met with Sarah in 2011, to discuss The Violets of March, click here to listen to our discussion.

Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: Review Copy (NetGalley)

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Book Review: On The Island

Book Review: On The Island

Why I Picked it: I accepted reading a book for review, for an author who was new to me... after doing a little research I wanted to read this book.

Synopsis: When thirty-year-old English teacher Anna Emerson is offered a job tutoring T.J. Callahan at his family's summer rental in the Maldives, she accepts without hesitation; a working vacation on a tropical island trumps the library any day.

Anna and T.J. are en route to join T.J.'s family when the pilot of their seaplane suffers a fatal heart attack and crash-lands in the Indian Ocean. Adrift in shark-infested waters, their life jackets keep them afloat until they make it to the shore of an uninhabited island. Now Anna and T.J. just want to survive and they must work together to obtain water, food, fire, and shelter.

Their basic needs might be met but as the days turn to weeks, and then months, the castaways encounter plenty of other obstacles, including violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.'s cancer could return. As T.J. celebrates yet another birthday on the island, Anna begins to wonder if the biggest challenge of all might be living with a boy who is gradually becoming a man.

Quick Take: I read this book a month ago and can't seem to shake it from my memory. The story had me captivated from page one, from the plane crash to the daily life struggles on the island.  Imagine living every day with fear of the other dying and being left alone, wondering if you will eat today, consider your daily hygiene, its survival at its core.

Now for the twist, dare I say it's written for women... it's readable and tugs at your heart.  There's an emotional creep factor in that the boy develops a crush on his teacher (in the most natural way imagined), mix in a longing for human comfort and years of snuggling for heat, emotions get in the way.  Time turns a boy into a man, a teacher into a woman.  

I want everyone to read this book, so I can talk about it! Recommend for book club? Absolutely! It's an easy read, with a LOT to discuss. 

Rating: 4 stars
Source: Review Copy

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Book Review: Covet

Book Review: Covet

Why I picked it: I was offered this book to read for review but had no idea that I would gain a new 'must read' author out of the deal.  Having read two books written by Tracey Garvis Graves, I connect to her writing, it's effortless and emotional.

Synopsis: What if the life you wanted, and the woman you fell in love with, belonged to someone else?

Downsized during the recession and out of work for a year, Chris copes by retreating to a dark place where no one can reach him, not even Claire. When he's offered a position that will keep him away from home four nights a week, he dismisses Claire's concern that time apart could be the one thing their fragile union can't weather. Their suburban life may look idyllic on the outside, but Claire has never felt so disconnected from Chris, or so lonely.

Local police officer Daniel Rush used to have it all, but now he goes home to an empty house every night. He pulls Claire over during a routine traffic stop, and they run into each other again at the 4th of July parade. When Claire is hired to do some graphic design work for the police department, her friendship with Daniel grows, and soon they're spending hours together.

Claire loves the way Daniel makes her feel, and the way his face lights up when she walks into the room. Daniel knows that Claire's marital status means their relationship will never be anything other than platonic. But it doesn't take long before Claire and Daniel are in way over their heads, and skating close to the line that Claire has sworn she'll never cross.

Quick take:

Rating: 4 stars
Source: review copy

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Book Review: The Here and Now

Book Review: The Here and Now

Why I picked it: I've read a few books written by the author, I enjoyed My Name is Memory (time travel with historical content) and my book club read one of the traveling pants books (summer fluff selection).  Just good fun.

Synopsis: Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.

Meet seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time—a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins.

Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth. But everything changes when she falls for Ethan Jarves.

Quick Take:  I'm not sure what to say about this book, it's YA and a quick read. It's much lighter than the Divergent series, but good. The adult version would have delved more into the impact of everything on the future, global warming, disease, etc.  

If you are looking for an entertaining, quick YA selection this is a good choice. I'm curious to see if reader's will love this one... I really enjoyed My Name is Memory, click here to read my thoughts/review.  

Click here to read Ti's review (Book Chatter) 

Rating: 3 stars
Source: Review Copy (NetGalley)

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Book Review: Tempting Fate

Book Review: Tempting Fate

Why I Picked it: This topic interests me, even knowing it's fiction it still provides insight to 'risking everything'.  I have mentioned in previous posts that I know/have heard stories of women dealing with their version of this story. It's also the stage of life I'm in, mid-forties with children no longer the primary focus and most of us have time to observe, think, wonder.  As the author says, 'the afternoon of life'.   

Synopsis: When Gabby first met Elliott she knew he was the man for her. In twenty years of marriage she has never doubted her love for him - even when he refused to give her the one thing she still wants most of all. But now their two daughters are growing up Gabby feels that time and her youth are slipping away. For the first time in her life she is restless. And then she meets Matt . . .

Intoxicated by the way this young, handsome and successful man makes her feel, Gabby is momentarily blind to what she stands to lose on this dangerous path. And in one reckless moment she destroys all that she holds dear.

Consumed by regret, Gabby does everything she can to repair the home she has broken. But are some betrayals too great to forgive.

Quick Take: I chose to listen to the audio vs. reading this novel, it was like listening to a friend tell me the story of another friend over a glass of wine.  Understanding the feelings the main character was dealing with and why she felt the way she did at times was interesting. 

If women are honest and read/listen to this book, we are familiar with the emotions and work/life balance struggles Gabby encounters.  It's the choices and actions that predict the outcome. 

I especially liked reading the post betrayal depression, coming to terms with what happened, the impact on her family, and their future.  The husbands reaction felt real.  The last book I read covering this topic with a compelling story was Jane Porter's novel, The Good Woman.

This isn't a happy, life is wonderful book but well worth the reading experience.
Have you read it?  Did you enjoy it?

Rating: 4 stars
Source: Personal Copy (Audio)

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Book Review: The Dinner

Book Review: The Dinner

Why I picked it:  I spotted this on Bibliophile by the Sea and then several commented they loved it, so I pushed it to the top of my list.

Synopsis: Over one meal, two families struggle with the hardest decision of their lives. On an Amsterdam summer evening, two couples are united by their sons, aged 15, their horrific joint deed. Behind banal polite discourse in a restaurant, knives are sharpened, friendship disintegrates. How far will adults go to protect those they love?

Quick Take: Strange. I'm not sure what to say about this book. As I read it I wondered if I was reading something similar to 'We need to talk about Kevin' but this book didn't scare me like Kevin did (thank goodness, I never need to read anything like that again).

I knew the characters were going to be unlikable; sadly I wasn't invested in the outcome and kept waiting for something big to happen.  When the cliff hanger is revealed, it's shared slowly.  It is disturbing but could have been explored more.  I'm not sure I want to know why the boys did what they did, but hearing from the children or having a mother's perspective may have enhanced the story.

Would I recommend this to book club?  I can't see myself recommending this book to anyone but there is a LOT to discuss. The writing is good, I listened and didn't feel compelled to stop listening.

Have you read it?  If I took the time to read a few reviews before buying this book, I might not have read it.  A lot of people gave the book just one star; people either love it or hate it, so it's odd to fall in the middle.

Rating: 3 stars
Source: personal copy (audio)

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Book Review: The Rosie Project

Book Review: The Rosie Project

Why I Picked it: This book was on many 2013 top books read lists that I wanted to read it, to see what the buzz was about.

Synopsis: Don Tillman, professor of genetics, has never been on a second date. He is a man who can count all his friends on the fingers of one hand, whose lifelong difficulty with social rituals has convinced him that he is simply not wired for romance. So when an acquaintance informs him that he would make a “wonderful” husband, his first reaction is shock. Yet he must concede to the statistical probability that there is someone for everyone, and he embarks upon The Wife Project.

In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which he approaches all things, Don sets out to find the perfect partner. She will be punctual and logical—most definitely not a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker, or a late-arriver.

Yet Rosie Jarman is all these things. She is also beguiling, fiery, intelligent—and on a quest of her own. She is looking for her biological father, a search that a certain DNA expert might be able to help her with. Don's Wife Project takes a back burner to the Father Project and an unlikely relationship blooms, forcing the scientifically minded geneticist to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie—and the realization that love is not always what looks good on paper.

Quick take: Having finished the book a few weeks ago now, I've had time to think about this review. For me, the book ends up in the 'cute and quirky' category.  Once Don meets Rosie the book shifts from a guy looking for a wife, to solving the mystery of 'who is Rosie's father'.  Don becomes obsessed with finding her father, even when it seems she no longer needs to know.

Don is an interesting character, engaging to the reader.  Who he is threads from page one to the end, for example he scans everyone he encounters to calculate BMI, as if taking inventory.  The inappropriate questions he asks will make you laugh.

He's quirky and has a need to get to the yes/no quickly. I loved the idea of the dating questionnaire and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen.

I wish the author would have written more on Don's friend and the wife.  A lot of good content to explore with this couple.

Most loved this one, calling it an addictive read that's laugh-out-loud funny. Here are a few great reviews:
Leeswammes Blog
Book Chatter

Have you read it?  What did I miss?

Rating: 3 stars
Source: personal copy (audio)

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Book Review: Divergent

Book Review: Divergent

Why I picked it: After seeing the trailer for the movie, to be released spring 2014, I decided I should read the book.  Why? Honestly, it's time to get out of my comfort zone... especially when I know I will see the movie with my family (they love this genre).

Synopsis: In Beatrice Prior's world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue. On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is. She can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

Quick Take: I didn't expect to enjoy this book but it wasn't as futuristic as I expected and it's filled with messages to reinforce values/ teachable lessons that are revisited on almost every page.  Here are a couple that I highlighted:

Fear: becoming fearless isn't the point.  That's impossible.  It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it, that's the point.

Bravery: half of bravery is perspective

The story moved at a quick pace, with enough back story to keep adult readers engaged. I'm happy I read it.

Three questions: 
- What faction do you think you would have been born into, given your family and its values? This is hard to answer, my parents wouldn't have picked the same faction at sixteen.  Which means they wouldn't have married or had children.  Based on who I am, I best fit Amity.  

- How would you feel about making a decision that would determine your life’s course at the age of sixteen? The characters in the book are raised to be mature enough to make this decision, and guided by the exam they take.  As the book continues (and in book two) we learn more from the adult experience of being raised in one faction and moving to another (consequences, good and bad).  This is interesting.

My husband and I are complete opposites, something that can't happen in this world.  Interesting concept, making for unique situations, stressors, etc... depending on the faction you choose. 

- During initiation, is it selfish of Tris to crave victory, or is it brave? I'm not sure if it's either but might be how she's wired or more importantly... what's expected from her. 

Rating: 4 stars
Source: Personal copy

Have you read it? Did you like the book? How would you answer the questions above? 

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