Booking Mama

Matilda 25th Anniversary Blog Tour & Giveaway

2013-05-23T00:09:00.000-04:00

Summary: Matilda is a genius. Unfortunately, her family treats her like a dolt. Her crooked car-salesman father and loud, bingo-obsessed mother think Matilda's only talent is as a scapegoat for everything that goes wrong in their miserable lives. But it's not long before the sweet and sensitive child decides to fight back. Faced with practical jokes of sheer brilliance, her parents don't stand a chance.

Matilda applies her untapped mental powers to rid the school of the evil, child-hating headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, and restore her nice teacher, Miss Honey, to financial security. -- Puffin

Matilda is turning 25 this year! Kind of unbelievable, right? How can it already be 25 years since this wonderfully witty, intelligent five-year-old sprang onto the literary scene, inspiring all of us to read more and fight the man with our powers of telekinesis (Er, or just wish we had powers of telekinesis)? We’re celebrating this milestone with an epic 25-stop blog tour! Follow along to find out how your favorite bloggers feel about Matilda, and for a chance to win a Matilda prize pack at each and every stop!

I'm a little embarrassed to say that I never read MATILDA with either of my children, but when I learned that MATILDA is 25 years old, I figured it was high time to remedy that. Booking Daughter informed me that she read is when she was a kid, and everyone has read it. Obviously, everyone but me!

So just this week I sat down and dug into MATILDA. I will soon be sharing my views on this delightful (and classic) children's book.

We’re all jealous of Matilda’s amazing abilities to move objects with her mind, but where does it come from? Miss Honey wonders the same thing:

“’A precocious child,’ Miss Honey said, ‘is one that shows amazing intelligence early on. You are an unbelievably precocious child.’

‘Am I really?’ Matilda asked.

‘Of course you are. You must be aware of that. Look at your reading. Look at your mathematics.’

‘I suppose you’re right.’ Matilda said.

Miss Honey marveled at the child’s lack of conceit and self-consciousness.

‘I can’t help wondering,’ she said, ‘whether this sudden ability that has come to you, of being able to move an object without touching it, whether it might have something to do with your brainpower.’

Even if the rest of us never achieve telekinesis, books can give everyone a kind of superpower.

Every Thursday, bloggers participating in the Matilda 25th Anniversary tour will write about what kind of superpower they’ve gained from reading.

Here's my question: Matilda has superpowers that allow her to move objects with her mind. We can’t all be that lucky, but I think we all gain superpowers through reading, like an Anti-cynicism superpower or the superpower to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. What superpower have you gained through reading? Did Matilda help you find that superpower?

I totally agree that reading allows us to gain "superpowers." While I have certainly wished to have Matilda's superpower at one time or another, I can't say that I've had any luck with moving objects with my mind (but I haven't given up hope!)

What I do have in common with Matilda, though, is a passion for books and reading. The superpower that I've gained through reading isn't an obvious one, but it has made a big difference in my life. By reading all types of books for over 40 years, namely ones that center around other cultures, I've learned to have more compassion and empathy towards those less fortunate than I am. In addition, I have also learned to be more grateful for the blessings in my life!

Feel free to add your own superpower in the comments!

*****
About Roald Dahl:
Roald Dahl (1916-1990) was born in Llandaff, South Wales, and went to Repton School in England. His parents were Norwegian, so holidays were spent in Norway. As he explains in Boy, he turned down the idea of university in favor of a job that would take him to "a wonderful faraway place.” In 1933 he joined the Shell Company, which sent him to Mombasa in East Africa. When World War II began in 1939 he became a fighter pilot and in 1942 was made assistant air attaché in Washington, where he started to write short stories. His first major success as a writer for children was in 1964. Thereafter his children's books brought him increasing popularity, and when he died children mourned the world over. Matilda was published just two years before he died. Quentin Blake, the first Children's Laureate of the United Kingdom, has illustrated most of Roald Dahl's children's books.

Be sure to visit the Official Matilda Facebook page to keep up with all things Matilda!

To find out more about Matilda the Musical on Broadway, visit their Facebook page! You can buy tickets, see pictures, and listen to music from Matilda the Musical on their website: http://us.matildathemusical.com/

For the next stop on the Matilda 25th Anniversary blog tour, head to I Am a Reader, Not a Writer tomorrow!

Giveaway alert: Did you know Matilda is now a Tony Award-nominated Broadway Musical? The show opened in April and has already been nominated for 12 Tony Awards, including Best Musical! Since not everyone can go to New York City to see the show in person, Penguin Teen is bringing the show to you with a Matilda the Musical prize pack giveaway! Enter to win a copy of the Matilda the Musical soundtrack, a Matilda the Musical poster, and a paperback copy of Matilda by Roald Dahl! To enter, just fill out the form below before June 5th at 11:59 p.m ET. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. addresses only. Good luck!
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Review: Porch Lights

2013-05-22T00:39:00.000-04:00

Summary: When fireman Jimmy McMullen is killed in the line of duty, his wife, Jackie, and ten-year-old son, Charlie, are devastated. Trusting in the healing power of family, Jackie decides to return to her childhood home on Sullivans Island—a place of lush green grasslands, the heady pungency of Lowcountry Pluff mud, and palmetto fronds swaying in gentle ocean winds.

Thrilled to have her family back, matriarch Annie Britt promises to make their visit perfect. Over the years, Jackie and Annie, like all mothers and daughters, have had differences of opinion. But her estranged and wise husband, Buster, and her best friend, Deb, are sure to keep Annie in line. She's also got the flirtatious widowed physician next door to keep her distracted. Captivated by the island's natural charms, mother, daughter, and grandson will share a memorable, illuminating summer. -- William Morrow Paperbacks

It's almost summer and that means recommendations for beach (or pool) books! I think I have a good one to share with you! It's called PORCH LIGHTS by Dorothea Benton Frank, and I kind of wished I had saved it to read while I am at the Jersey Shore this weekend. This touching novel takes place in the Lowcountry of South Carolina and it both warmed my heart and made me hunger for a relaxing trip to the beach!

PORCH LIGHTS tells the story of Jackie and her mother Annie. Jackie is reeling from the recent loss of her husband in a firefighting accident as well as a few tours of Afghanistan. She decides that a visit to see her parents on Sullivan's Island might be just what she and her young son Charlie need to help the healing process. Naturally, Annie is excited to have her daughter and grandson come for a visit, and she wants everything to be perfect. However, Annie and Jackie haven't always seen eye-to-eye on many things and there is a bit of tension when they are together. To make things even more complex, Annie is attracted to a handsome (and younger) doctor who lives next door -- one who is obviously attracted to Jackie. And (and this is a big one!), Annie and her long-time husband Buster have been living apart for almost eleven years but still have feelings for each other!

Initially, I wasn't sure that PORCH LIGHTS was exactly the type of book that would appeal to me. I'm not a huge fan of this genre, and yet, I really enjoyed this heartwarming story. (Did I mention that it is perfect for the summer?) I quickly became absorbed in the characters and their problems, and I liked how the book played with my emotions. One minute I was laughing at Annie and the next I was tearing up for Jackie and Charlie!

I think credit has to go to Ms. Frank for being able to pull off a story like this one. It could have been so sappy! However, I was extremely impressed with her writing and storytelling abilities as well as her ability to bring the setting to life; and while I will admit that much of the book was predictable, I didn't mind that at all. In fact, I would have been disappointed had the book ended any differently. When I read a book like this, I want happy endings and ones that are wrapped up tightly with a big red bow. PORCH LIGHTS left me with a big smile on my face!

I especially appreciated how the story went back and forth between Jackie and Annie as narrators. I thought Ms. Frank captured both of their voices perfectly, and I liked how it allowed me to understand both characters. Had the story been written with just one of these characters' voices, I would have had an entirely different view of their actions and motivations.

Another fun aspect of the novel was the Edgar Allen Poe connection. Poe lived in the South Carolina Low Country and there were many references to him throughout the novel. In fact, Annie was an amateur expert on his life! I also appreciated how each chapter began with a snippet from one of his books.

I also liked about PORCH LIGHTS was the character development. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of Jackie and Annie, and I loved their interactions with each other. They both were more similar than they initially thought (or what I initially thought!), and I loved their bantering as well as how they showed their love for each other. Similarly, I liked how this novel explored the dynamics between Annie and her long-time husband Buster. Their relationship was complicated to say the least, but I enjoyed seeing them try to work things out despite their bumpy past (and their strong-willed personalities.)

I also appreciated how much humor was in this novel. Needless to say there were some pretty heavy issues addressed in this story -- war, death, separation, loss, grief, and more -- but the book still had its fair share of light moments. Annie was absolutely hilarious, and while I'm sure she wasn't always easy to live with, I loved her!

In addition to being a great beach book, PORCH LIGHTS would also make a fun summer book club selection. There is a reading guide available with twelve interesting questions. It might also be fun to complement your discussion by making some of the food and beverages that were mentioned in the story. Some of the topics you might want to explore include mother/daughter relationships, forgiveness, healing, loss, grief, and new beginnings!

I really liked PORCH LIGHTS and definitely recommend it as a summer beach read!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Review: And the Mountains Echoed

2013-05-21T00:18:00.000-04:00

Summary: An unforgettable novel about finding a lost piece of yourself in someone else.

Khaled Hosseini, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, has written a new novel about how we love, how we take care of one another, and how the choices we make resonate through generations. In this tale revolving around not just parents and children but brothers and sisters, cousins and caretakers, Hosseini explores the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most. Following its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices and loves around the globe—from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos—the story expands gradually outward, becoming more emotionally complex and powerful with each turning page. -- Riverside

I know I'm not alone when I say that I've been waiting what seems like forever for the release of AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED by Khaled Hosseini. (It's actually been six years!) I loved THE KITE RUNNER and then I loved A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS even more, and I admit that I was a little afraid that the new novel might not live up to my expectations. I couldn't be happier to tell you that I had no reason to even question Mr. Hosseini's writing abilities because, in my opinion, AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED is even better than his first two novels. It was nothing short of amazing and this author has definitely reached new heights with this epic story.

If you took the time to read the book's description at the beginning of this post, then you might have noticed that the summary for AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED is rather vague. Initially, I thought that the publisher was keeping the book's plot under wraps to entice more readers. And then after I finished reading the book, I figured it might be because the story encompasses so much that it might be hard to summarize it in just a few sentences -- I still feel that way! However, I've now decided that the best reason not to give a detailed description is because this novel is supposed to be experienced knowing little, if anything, about the characters or their lives. I absolutely adored discovering these characters' rich and complex lives as their stories beautifully unfolded.

Needless to say, I don't want to give too much away but I will tell you a little bit about the novel. The story begins when a poor Afghan man decides to give up his young daughter to a wealthy family in Kabul. The scene when the girl is separated from her older brother, who views himself as her caregiver, is gut-wrenching and memorable; and the fallout from their separation is reflected throughout the rest of the novel with various stories that span over 60 years and a variety of countries including France, Greece and the United States. All of these stories and the characters are intertwined, and they explore the complicated themes of love, loss and family.

I adored every story in this novel (I don't think I can pick favorites!), and I even had takeaways from each chapter. If you know me, then you know that that is truly saying a lot. Each story seemed more beautiful and moving than the next as the characters and their lives expanded through the years. However, as much as I adored all of these stories, I think what Mr. Hosseini was able to do with the ending of this novel is what made it absolutely outstanding in my opinion. He came back to that original story of separation and showed that it's possible for beauty and goodness to come out of difficult situations. I'm actually tearing up while typing this review because I loved the feeling of hope that this book allowed me to experience.

Words can't even express how much I loved AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED. Truly, I was blown away by every single page of this novel. My emotions were on a roller coaster ride the entire time and I appreciated being able to "feel" so much. Mr. Hosseini, who has already sold something like 38 million books, is no doubt a talented writer. However, in AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED, he's proven that he's one of the very best out there right now. He just keeps getting better and better! The grand scale of this book, not to mention how he brought everything back full circle with the ending, made waiting those six, long years well worth the wait.

It's no surprise that I am going to recommend AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED for book clubs. If you've read either of Mr. Hosseini's other novels, then you know how much there is to discuss. However, I think AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED just might be his most book club worthy novel to date. There are just so many universal themes about human nature in this novel that warrant further discussion. Fortunately, I was able to find a reading guide, not because you absolutely need one, but rather because it might help keep your discussion on track. There is just so much to discuss with this book! Some of the topics you might want to explore include family, sacrifice, love, loss, forgiveness, redemption, morals, and choices. You can also discuss some symbolism like the title and the old oak tree.

Trust me on this one -- you don't want to miss out on reading this amazing book. Highly recommend! (I'd give this one 5 Stars if I had a rating system!)

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Review: Killer in Crinolines

2013-05-20T07:14:00.000-04:00

Summary: It’s August in Savannah, Georgia—hardly the season for a traditional Southern wedding with hoopskirts and crinolines. One could die from the heat—or from a cake knife in the back...

Reagan Summerside should be devoting all her energy to her consignment shop the Prissy Fox. But when her dear friend Chantilly Parker is arrested for murder, Reagan vows to clear her name. The victim is Simon Ambrose, who’s found lying in his own wedding cake with a knife in his back.

Chantilly has motive (Simon broke her heart to marry wealthy Waynetta Waverly) and opportunity (crashing the wedding in her UPS delivery truck). And she has cake on her face, and the stolen bridesmaid dress the killer wore is in her truck. But Chantilly would never wear crinoline to kill a man!

With the help of her flamboyant auntie, KiKi, and vexing but attractive attorney Walker Boone, Reagan is determined to save her friend—before she’s forced to turn in her brown uniform for an orange jumpsuit… -- Berkley Prime

A few months ago, I reviewed the first book in a new cozy series called ICED CHIFFON by Duffy Brown. I thought the book was cute and the mystery was a good one, so when the second book was released in the Consignment Shop Mystery series, I knew I wanted to read it. The second book is titled KILLER IN CRINOLINES, and it picked up right where the first book left off. I enjoyed this light, fun mystery just as much as the first one!

KILLER IN CRINOLINES centers around a murder of the groom at a fancy Savannah wedding. Reagan, the owner of the Prissy Fix consignment store, finds herself (once again) involved in solving the murder. This time, it's her good friend Chantilly who seems like the most likely suspect; and Reagan is pretty sure she's innocent of the crime.

However, the police and everyone else think Chantilly stuck a cake knife in the groom's back. And for good reason... Chantilly used to date the groom prior to being dumped for the wealthy bride, and there's nothing like a woman scorned. Can Reagan, with the help of her crazy aunt KiKi and the sexy lawyer Walker Boone, help to prove Chantilly's innocence?

KILLER IN CRINOLINES was a fun read and exactly what I needed. Sometimes, I just like to curl up with a cozy and escape for a few hours, and this novel definitely provided that. Not only was the mystery interesting, but the book managed to entertain me for a variety of other reasons. I just love the setting and the characters in this series. Plus the book was pretty darn funny!

First, the setting of KILLER IN CRINOLINES is perfect for this series. The books take place in Savannah and I honestly can't think of a better place. The author does a good job of bringing Savannah to life, both through the characters and the various local businesses; and both times I've read these books, I've wanted to take a trip to this beautiful city.

I also love the characters in these books. Reagan is definitely a likable character and a great narrator, but it's the one-of-a-kind characters that surround her that make these books even more special. Reagan's spunky friend Chantilly, the local UPS driver, is featured in this book because she is the main suspect, but it's Reagan's wild Aunt KiKi that really steals the show. She is downright hilarious and, while she does help Reagan solve the murder mystery, neither Reagan nor the reader ever know what's she's going to say or do. And then there's Walker Boone, the attorney who left Reagan with almost nothing after her divorce. There is some definitely sexual tension between Reagan and Walker, and he always seems to be one step ahead of Reagan in her crime solving capers.

Finally, I should mention the mystery storyline in KILLER CRINOLINES. I'm the first to admit that I don't spend a lot of time trying to solve the mysteries when I read cozies, but I did have a gut feeling as to who was responsible for the crime. Having said that, I totally flubbed up the motives as well as the other person (or persons) involved. So, I guess you could say that the author did manage to surprise me a bit!

I really enjoyed both books in the Consignment Shop mystery series and I look forward to the next installment. KILLER IN CRINOLINES is recommended for fans of cozies who appreciate a little humor thrown in with their murder mysteries!

Thanks to the author for providing a review copy of this novel.

Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.

Kid Konnection: Steam Train, Dream Train

2013-05-18T00:09:00.000-04:00

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to share with you a terrific picture book that's perfect for bedtime!

Summary: The team behind the #1 New York Times bestseller Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site returns with another fabulous book for bedtime! The dream train pulls into the station, and one by one the train cars are loaded: polar bears pack the reefer car with ice cream, elephants fill the tanker cars with paints, tortoises stock the auto rack with race cars, kangaroos stuff the hopper car with balls (while zebras referee). Sweet and silly dreams are guaranteed for any budding train enthusiasts! -- Chronicle

I have been seeing lots of buzz the past month or so for the new picture book STEAM TRAIN, DREAM TRAIN by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld. There is a great deal of excitement that this pair had is back with a new book. They had much success with their last one GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, CONSTRUCTION SITE -- it was a New York Times Bestseller as well as an award winner.

I'm not familiar with GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, CONSTRUCTION SITE, but I can tell you that I adored STEAM TRAIN, DREAM TRAIN. This book is positively adorable for little ones because it features not only trains, but also cute animals. And it's an ideal bedtime book... for both parents and children.

STEAM TRAIN, DREAM TRAIN begins when the train pulls into the station and the animals have to load the various train cars. For example, monkeys load the boxcars with a variety of toys, while kangaroos fill the hopper cars with bouncing balls. Elephants fill the tankers with paint, and turtles stock the autorack with race cars. After all of the work is complete, the animals go to sleep and the train begins its travels. It's just cute on so many levels.

I am pretty sure that STEAM TRAIN, DREAM TRAIN will be a hit with preschool age children, especially those that love trains. The book has rhyming text and beautiful illustrations which should appeal to even the most active kids -- there is plenty to look at on each page. I also like that this book is educational in that it teaches children about the various types of train cars. However, it's the silly aspects of this story that will appeal to every reader!

Check out the book's trailer to see what I mean:

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Review: All You Could Ask For (Audio)

2013-05-16T07:09:00.001-04:00

Summary: A tender and wonderfully insightful story of friendship, love, heartbreak, and renewal, played out in the lives of three unforgettable women, from an extraordinary and unexpected debut novelist—the host of the #1 sports talk show in America, ESPN's Mike Greenberg

All You Could Ask For
Mike Greenberg

Three women are about to find their lives intertwined in ways none of them could ever have imagined. . . .

Brooke has been happily married to her college sweetheart for fifteen years. Even after the C-section, the dog poop, the stomach viruses, and the coffee breath, Scott still always winks at her at just the right moments. That is why, for her beloved, romantic, successful husband's fortieth birthday, she is giving him pictures. Of her. Naked.

Samantha's newlywed bliss is steamrolled when she finds shocking evidence of infidelity on her husband's computer. She has been married for two days. She won't be for much longer.

Katherine works eighteen hours a day for the man who irreparably shattered her heart fifteen years ago. She has a duplex on Park Avenue, a driver, a chef, and a stunning house in Southampton, and she bought it all herself. So what if she has to see Phillip every single workday for the rest of her natural life? Brooke, Samantha, and Katherine don't know one another, but all three are about to discover the conquering power of friendship—and that they have all they could ask for, as long as they have one another. -- Harper Audio

I'm sure you've heard the saying, "Write what you know," but that certainly wasn't the case with Mike Greenberg when he wrote his latest book ALL YOU COULD ASK FOR. For those of you who aren't familiar with the radio show on ESPN called Mike & Mike in the Morning, Mike Greenberg is the co-host of this very popular sports talk with Mike Golic. I happen to really enjoy listening to these two guys talk sport while also occasionally bantering with each other.

So it wouldn't come as any surprise to me if Mike Greenberg wrote a sports-themed book or even a humorous one (in fact, he's already written two NY Times Bestsellers), but I admit to being a little caught off guard that he wrote ALL YOU COULD ASK FOR, a novel about a special bond between three women! Even more surprising is that he wrote this book in the voices of the three women. Overall, I think he did a decent job.

ALL YOU COULD ASK FOR tells the story of three women whose lives are brought together when they are diagnosed with cancer. The first half of the novel sets up the story of each women's life. Brooke is a stay-at-home mom of twins who is devoted to her husband and keeping her marriage fresh. Samantha is a woman who discovers that her husband has pictures of a naked co-worker on his computer... two days after their marriage. And Katherine is a successful business woman whose life is lacking in other ways. She has few friends and is still bitter over the loss of her boyfriend over 15 years ago.

The second half of the book begins when the women are diagnosed with different forms of breast cancer. Through an on-line support group, these women develop special friendships and they support each other through some very tough times and tough decisions.

I was pleasantly surprised by ALL YOU COULD ASK FOR as well as Mr. Greenberg's writing. I'm not sure I'd go so far as to say that I thought he captured the essence of these women perfectly -- there were a few times when I felt as if what they said (or did) wasn't exactly in keeping with a "typical woman" -- but, for the most part, he did a darn good job. I have to admit, though, that I was probably reading this novel with a more critical eye than I normally would. I seriously doubted that Mr. Greenberg could pull off sounding like a woman... or actually three women!

I found the second half of the book, when the story dealt with these women's cancer battles, to be much more enjoyable than the first half of the novel (if "enjoyable" is the proper word.) I thought their actions and even their dialogue seemed to be more realistic, and I especially appreciated how much their friendships developed. I actually began to understand each of these characters (notice I didn't say like!) and I was definitely rooting for all of them to beat the cancer.

I have to say that one of the characters Brooke bothered me a great deal. I was very uncomfortable with her decision regarding her treatment and I even got a little mad at how she handled everything. I actually wanted to shake her! I don't want to go into details because it will give away a major part of the novel, but I'm pretty sure I'm not alone with this opinion. In fact, Mike Greenberg's wife even agrees with me. What I found interesting is that Mike Greenberg said in the author interview at the end of the novel that Brooke was actually his favorite character (if he had to pick one.) After listening to his reasoning, I began to respect Brooke's decision even though I'm still not sure I totally agreed with her!

What I liked the most about this novel is how it made me feel. I enjoyed that I laughed with these characters while also crying with them. (Needless to say, I wasn't disappointed with the humor in this novel. Mr. Greenberg's personality definitely came through!) I also loved how this book celebrate the strength and resilience of women and their friendships. ALL YOU COULD ASK FOR really was a feel good book despite dealing with a pretty depressing (and scary) issue.

ALL YOU COULD ASK FOR would make a great book club discussion. Since the book deals with so many women's issues, it's perfect for discussion. There is a reading guide available with fifteen questions. Some of the themes you might want to explore include career, family, infidelity, secrets, loss, love, illness, health care decisions, parenting, marriage, and of course friendship. You can also discuss whether you think Mr. Greenberg was effective in writing in the voices of three women!

I enjoyed ALL YOU COULD ASK FOR. It was a touching story but also one that made me smile more than just a few times! Recommended for fans of women's fiction and chick lit!

A final note and one more reason to buy ALL YOU COULD ASK FOR: Mike Greenberg and his wife Stacy created a foundation called Heidi's Angels in honor of one of their best friends who died of breast cancer. The author's profits from the sale of this book will be donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research to combat breast cancer.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this audio book.

May 2013 Book Club Meeting

2013-05-15T08:09:00.002-04:00

Next month, we will be reading THE GARDEN OF EVENING MISTS by Tan Twan Eng.This novel was nominated for the 2012 Man Booker Prize and it looks fabulous. I can't wait to read it!

Summary: It's Malaya, 1949. After studying law at Cambridge and time spent helping to prosecute Japanese war criminals, Yun Ling Teoh, herself the scarred lone survivor of a brutal Japanese wartime camp, seeks solace among the jungle fringed plantations of Northern Malaya where she grew up as a child. There she discovers Yugiri, the only Japanese garden in Malaya, and its owner and creator, the enigmatic Aritomo, exiled former gardener of the Emperor of Japan. Despite her hatred of the Japanese, Yun Ling seeks to engage Aritomo to create a garden in Kuala Lumpur, in memory of her sister who died in the camp. Aritomo refuses, but agrees to accept Yun Ling as his apprentice 'until the monsoon comes'. Then she can design a garden for herself.

As the months pass, Yun Ling finds herself intimately drawn to her sensei and his art while, outside the garden, the threat of murder and kidnapping from the guerrillas of the jungle hinterland increases with each passing day. But the Garden of Evening Mists is also a place of mystery.

Who is Aritomo and how did he come to leave Japan? Why is it that Yun Ling's friend and host Magnus Praetorius, seems to almost immune from the depredations of the Communists? What is the legend of 'Yamashita's Gold' and does it have any basis in fact? And is the real story of how Yun Ling managed to survive the war perhaps the darkest secret of all? -- Weinstein Books

Last evening, my book club met to discuss THE GARDEN OF EVENING MISTS by Tan Twan Eng. My friend who selected this novel absolutely loved it, and I think it's safe to say that, while we probably weren't as enthusiastic as she was, we all appreciated this story. You can read more about my thoughts here.

I admit that it took us quite awhile to get around to discussing the book. We are all friends and some of us only see each other once a month at our book club meetings. Needless to say, we had a lot of catching up to do with our personal lives (and our kids' personal lives!) After about an hour or so of chit chat, we decided to get down to business. Our leader for the night wasn't able to find a formal discussion guide, but she did have a few questions prepared. We all had lots of thoughts about the novel, though, so I don't even think we needed questions to guide our discussion.

First of all, we thought the author's writing style was very impressive. His descriptions of the setting and especially the Japanese gardens were exquisite. However, he also wove a tale that was extremely complex. I mean this in both a good and not-so-good way. While it was almost amazing how the story (and the side stories) all came together, a few of us found ourselves getting lost at times (but I think the foreign terms and names added to our confusion.)

Another interesting discussion point was how this novel kept us guessing... and thinking. It is safe to say that that we were surprised quite a few times by the actions of the characters. We also discussed the ending and what could have happened to one of the main characters. The story ending was pretty ambiguous, but we agreed that it didn't bother us in this story like it does in some other ones. I'm still not sure we are all in agreement as to what happened!

While THE GARDEN OF EVENING MISTS was a pretty dark and depressing story, we all liked how there were a recurring theme of love woven into it. I wouldn't go so far as to say that I thought the novel was upbeat by any means, but I did appreciate the message that love helps us to survive even the most horrible of circumstances.

Next month, we will be reading TRUTH IN ADVERTISING by John Kenney. I'm pretty excited about this selection because so many of the reviews are outstanding. It's a little outside of our normal comfort zone but I'm sure it will generate a great deal of discussion.

Summary: Finbar Dolan is lost and lonely. Except he doesn’t know it. Despite escaping his blue-collar Boston upbringing to carve out a mildly successful career at a Madison Avenue ad agency, he’s a bit of a mess and closing in on forty. He’s recently called off his wedding. Now, a few days before Christmas, he’s forced to cancel a long-postponed vacation in order to write, produce, and edit a Superbowl commercial for his diaper account in record time.

Fortunately, it gets worse. He learns that his long-estranged and once-abusive father has fallen ill. And that neither his brothers nor his sister intend to visit. It’s a wake-up call for Fin to re-evaluate the choices he’s made, admit that he’s falling for his coworker Phoebe, question the importance of diapers in his life, and finally tell the truth about his life and his past.

In the spirit of Then We Came to the End and This Is Where I Leave You, novelist John Kenney, a regular New Yorker contributor, mines his own advertising background to creating this moving debut, nothing short of “a masterful blend of wit and seriousness, stunning in its honesty” (Booklist, starred review). -- Touchstone

Review: The Edge of the Earth

2013-05-14T00:06:00.000-04:00

Summary: In 1898, a woman forsakes the comfort of home and family for a love that takes her to a remote lighthouse on the wild coast of California. What she finds at the edge of the earth, hidden between the sea and the fog, will change her life irrevocably.

Trudy, who can argue Kant over dinner and play a respectable portion of Mozart’s Serenade in G major, has been raised to marry her childhood friend and assume a life of bourgeois comfort in Milwaukee. She knows she should be pleased, but she’s restless instead, yearning for something she lacks even the vocabulary to articulate. When she falls in love with enigmatic and ambitious Oskar, she believes she’s found her escape from the banality of her preordained life.

But escape turns out to be more fraught than Trudy had imagined. Alienated from family and friends, the couple moves across the country to take a job at a lighthouse at Point Lucia, California—an unnervingly isolated outcropping, trapped between the ocean and hundreds of miles of inaccessible wilderness. There they meet the light station’s only inhabitants—the formidable and guarded Crawleys. In this unfamiliar place, Trudy will find that nothing is as she might have predicted, especially after she discovers what hides among the rocks.

Gorgeously detailed, swiftly paced, and anchored in the dramatic geography of the remote and eternally mesmerizing Big Sur, The Edge of the Earth is a magical story of secrets and self-transformation, ruses and rebirths. Christina Schwarz, celebrated for her rich evocation of place and vivid, unpredictable characters, has spun another haunting and unforgettable tale. -- Atria

THE EDGE OF THE EARTH by Christina Schwarz is the second book I've read in recent months that takes place on an isolated island with a lighthouse. The other novel was THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS by M.L. Stedman which I absolutely loved -- you can read my review here. While both novels dealt with the theme of isolation and were beautifully written, they actually were quite different.

I remember reading and enjoying Ms. Schwarz's novel DROWNING RUTH when Oprah selected it many years ago for her book club, so I figured THE EDGE OF THE EARTH was definitely worth a peek. And you know what? I was absolutely right in deciding to pick up this novel. It was a lovely story filled with some memorable characters and even a little bit of mystery and intrigue!

THE EDGE OF THE EARTH tells the story of Trudy, a young woman who decides to give up her home and family to follow the man she loves to a remote island in California. It has always been assumed that Trudy will end up with her longtime family friend and live near her family in Milwaukee; however, Trudy has always wanted something more. So when the charismatic Oskar enters her life, Trudy falls in love with him and figures he's the answer to her all of her desires.

Trudy and Oskar move to Point Lucia, California for Oskar's job at a lighthouse. The island is extremely isolated except for the Crawleys. Life isn't what Trudy expected but she finds some pleasure in exploring the island and teaching the Crawley children. She throws herself into learning about the local marine life as well as investigating the children's rumors of seeing a mermaid. However, Oskar's unfulfilled dreams cause him to become morose and distant, and Trudy begins to question her decision to marry Oskar.

I found THE EDGE OF THE EARTH to be a beautifully written novel and I enjoyed it quite a bit. There is no doubt that Ms. Schwarz is an incredible writer. I especially appreciated how she brought the time period and the setting to life. Her detailed descriptions of the remote island were extremely vivid and I could picture the wonder and beauty of this area perfectly. However, I also liked how she captured just how isolated the characters were while living there. I like to say that I'm a loner but I don't know if I'd last more than a week or so without regular contact from my friends and family. The way the author brought to life Trudy's feelings of isolation, both from society on the island as well as her relationship with her husband, was just so well done and so very real to me.

Another aspect of this novel that I enjoyed was the "mystery" surrounding the mermaid. I don't know if mystery is actually the correct word, but I liked following Trudy as she discovered the truth behind the children's rumors. I've seen a review or two that mentioned this aspect took away from the novel and I'm not entirely sure I agree. I think Trudy's desire to learn the secrets behind this woman was one of the things that kept Trudy sane in an otherwise desperate situation. I also think this storyline and character were critical to the tragedy that occurs near the end of the novel.

THE EDGE OF THE EARTH would make a wonderful book club selection. There is a reading guide available with thirteen questions along with some ideas to enhance your meeting. Some of the themes you might want to explore include isolation, love, dreams, hope, ambition, the role of women in the late 1800s, identity, materiality, and redemption. You also might want to discuss some of the major symbols in the story including the concept of light.

I thoroughly enjoyed THE EDGE OF THE EARTH and once again, I was very impressed with Ms. Schwarz's writing. Highly recommended to fans of literary fiction.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Review: Lucky Bastard

2013-05-13T07:20:00.002-04:00

Summary: Lucky O’Toole, the newly promoted vice president of Customer Relations for the Babylon, Las Vegas's primo Strip property, has never met a problem she couldn't handle. But when a young woman is found dead, sprawled across the hood of a new, bright red Ferrari California in the Babylon's on-site dealership, a Jimmy Choo stiletto stuck in her carotid, Lucky's skills are maxed out.

Of course, her life is already on overload. Her mother, Mona, is pregnant, hormonal, and bored—a triple threat. A song that Teddie, Lucky's former lover, wrote for her is getting national airplay as he hits the talk shows, pleading for her forgiveness. Lucky is less than amused by the high-powered "infotainment" spotlight on her personal life. She's having enough trouble fending off Chef Jean-Charles Bouclet, the Babylon's tasty new dish.

All of this and The Smack-Down Poker tournament, the second-largest poker tournament in the world, is holding its final round at the Babylon. Hookers, thieves, players, cheaters, media, and hangers-on descend, looking to win or to score. When one of the players turns up dead, Lucky starts to make connections between the two murders, putting her in the crosshairs of the killer.

Then, just when she's losing control... life deals another major complication to her personal life... and it's not going to be pretty.

Lucky struggles to keep her life in balance, and a murderer from killing again. -- Forge

Each and every year I look forward to the latest release on the Lucky O'Toole Vegas Adventure series by Deborah Coonts. The fourth book in this very fun series is called LUCKY BASTARD and is available tomorrow. I have to say that, once again, I thoroughly enjoyed this Lucky O'Toole mystery; and I truly am a big fan of this series!

LUCKY BASTARD picks up right where the last book SO DAMN LUCKY ended. In fact, if I remember correctly SO DAMN LUCKY kind of left the reader hanging. I don't want to give away too much about what occurred in the last novel (or the prior two ones either) although I think the "official" book description kind of does that anyway. Suffice it to say that Lucky is still licking her wounds from the sudden departure of her boyfriend Teddie, while trying to decide if she wants to take things further with a French chef. Lucky thinks that she has bad luck in the romance department, but as far as I'm concerned, she is always surrounded by some pretty sexy guys!

However at its core, LUCKY BASTARD is a mystery; and in the case of this novel, it's a pretty good one -- one that I found confusing in a good way. (Translation: I kind of figured out aspects of who was responsible but I couldn't piece together the whys.) A woman is found stabbed with a Jimmy Choo stiletto on top of a Ferrari inside the Babylon Casino, and Lucky's "friend" is the prime suspect. Then, a recently fired employee is found dead. And there just might be some truth to the adage that bad things always happen in threes because a poker player arriving in town for a huge tournament at the Babylon dies. It's up to Lucky, with a little help from her friend on the police force, to make sense of these three possibly related deaths.

Overall, I thought LUCKY BASTARD was a very entertaining read. I just adore Lucky, even with all of her quirks. She's smart, sexy, and funny and I love that the stories are told in her voice. Naturally, she's extremely tough as she solves all of the murder mysteries that come her way, but she's also very sensitive and trying to find the right guy with whom she can settle down. Her life is full of ups and downs (and various adventures) -- you wouldn't believe all of the fires she fights in her customer relations job at the casino; and she handles them all in a way that cracks me up. I can't stress just how funny these novels are.

In case you're wondering LUCKY BASTARD would work as a stand-alone. I think Ms. Coonts does a terrific job of filling in the reader with enough details about events in the past books. However, why would you want to start with book four in this fun series? Lucky is a great character and I love how all of these books combine events from her personal life with big-time murder mysteries at the casino. I definitely think it's a winning combination of romance and intrigue!

Once again, Deborah Coonts ended her novel with a pretty big cliffhanger... one which I adored! Of course that means that I will have to read the fifth book in the series, not that there was ever really any doubt about that.

LUCKY BASTARD and the entire Lucky O'Toole mysteries are a hoot. If you are a fan of Janet Evanovich's books, then I highly recommend checking out this series.

Thanks to JKS Communications for providing a review copy of this novel.

Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.

Kid Konnection: My Mom is the Best Circus & Giveaway

2013-05-11T00:08:00.000-04:00

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to celebrate moms with an adorable picture book!

Summary: This humorous story celebrates mom as the best one-woman show on earth as she juggles everything that goes on during the day—she's a ringmaster, a wild beast tamer, a magician, and sometimes a clown. But her best stunt of all is the sandman show, when it's time for a good-night story.

Luciana Navarro Powell's colorful, humorous illustrations are a perfect complement to her spirited, rhyming text. -- Robin Corey Books

Around Father's Day last year, I reviewed a very cute board book called MY DAD IS THE BEST PLAYGROUND by Luciana Navarro Powell. I was excited to discover that the author has another book just in time for Mother's Day titled MY MOM IS THE BEST CIRCUS.

MY MOM IS THE BEST CIRCUS is a wonderful tribute to moms and all that they do. I absolutely loved it -- from the comparisons to being a ringleader, a juggler, and magician and even a clown! This board book features just how much moms accomplish everyday and how important they are to their children. I actually had to laugh at all of the things mothers have in common with members of a circus -- right down to walking on stilts (i.e. high heels!)

MY MOM IS THE BEST CIRCUS is perfect for even the littlest of toddlers. In addition to the simple, rhyming text, the colorful illustrations are fun. I especially liked the facial expressions on the mom and the children. I am pretty sure that little ones will laugh at a few of the pictures too!

Highly recommend for Mother's Day and any day that we celebrate motherhood!

I recently had the pleasure of asking Luciana Navarro Powell a few questions about her books...

Booking Mama: You are both the author and the illustrator for the two picture books MY DAD IS THE BEST PLAYGROUND and MY MOM IS THE BEST CIRCUS. I am curious about your artistic process. Do you come up with the text or the drawings first? Or do you work on both at the same time?

Ms. Powell: Thank you for having me on your blog again! I have been illustrating children's books for a long time, writing is more recent. These are the first books I have both written and illustrated, and in this case the text came first, once I was happy with it then I started sketching.

Booking Mama: What was the inspiration for MY DAD IS THE BEST PLAYGROUND and MY MOM IS THE BEST CIRCUS?

Ms. Powell: In both cases inspiration came from pure observation of daily routines in my own house - and then later on, by talking with friends that also have young families, I could "confirm" my "theory".

In the case of My Dad is the Best Playground, the story originated from observing my husband roughhousing with my two sons, ages three and five. One night, I was tucking my sons into bed and my husband got home from work later than usual so he missed our bedtime routine, but he was still full of energy and eager to play with them. I remember thinking, “oh great, they are going to get all riled up again, here comes the playground!” As you know, it’s hard work to get kids settled down and ready for bed, so I was a bit annoyed with this sudden burst of energy. However, I was still happy to see them play and have always been fascinated by how kids and their fathers play more physically and with more freedom than they do with us mothers- who are usually worried about someone getting hurt!

With My Mom is the Best Circus, the idea was born from just looking into my own daily routine! It is a positive and humorous look on the challenges that mothers go through every single day. What sparked the idea for this one was a gigantic pile of laundry I had to deal with one day - it looked like a beast that was going to swallow me if I didn't tame it! Also on that same day I had to literally play the clown to cheer up my 4 year-old from some drama - I don't even remember what it was - but I found one of those clown noses lost in a drawer and put it on, and it immediately lifted up his spirits! From there, I kept thinking of all the things a mother goes through every single day and that could be related to a circus - from running the show like a ringmaster to magically making the kids eat their vegetables, while juggling everything else at the same time!

Booking Mama: You are an illustrator for many children's books. Can you describe your collaborative process with the author?

Ms. Powell: Well, this is always a surprise to most people, but very rarely there is a collaborative process with the author, unless of course you are illustrating your own story. Most of the time the book starts with the story, and then the art director at the publisher house picks an illustrator that would be a good match for that story. In the case of the dinosaur series I illustrated for Chronicle Books (Alphasaurus, Countasaurus, Shapeasaurus and Colorasaurus), for example, I never talked to the author at all. In my last project - a children's book app called "Spatter and Spark", by New York Times best seller Deborah Underwood - I ended up getting to meet Deborah, but only after I had started illustrating the story already.

Booking Mama: Do you have more books planned in this "series?"

Ms. Powell: No, I am happy with this little duo, I think I told all I needed to tell with those two! Unless, of course, something sparks a new story for a grandparent book next time my mother comes to visit my boys!

Booking Mama: What are some of your favorite children's books?

Ms. Powell: That is always a difficult question to answer, I own and love so many! So I will mention the ones that have been the most popular at bedtime with the boys lately - and I love all of them, too: Jingle the Brass, by Patricia Newman illustrated by Michael Chesworth; Children Make Terrible Pets by Peter Brown; The Loud Book by Deborah Underwood illustrated by Renata Liwska, Press Here by Herve Tullet, all of the Elephant and Piggie by Mo Willems, The Dark by Lemony Snicket illustrated by Jon Klassen, The Nice Book by David Ezra Stein...

I'd like to thank Ms. Powell for taking time from her busy schedule to answer a few of my questions!

Giveaway alert: Thanks to the fine folks at Random House, I have a copy of MY MOM IS THE BEST CIRCUS to share with one lucky reader. To enter, just fill out the form below before Friday, May 17th at 11:59 p.m. ET. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. addresses only. Good luck!
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Guest Review: Operation Storm

2013-05-09T07:37:00.001-04:00

Summary: In 1941, the architects of Japan's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor planned a bold follow-up: a potentially devastating air raid--this time against New York City and Washington, DC. The classified Japanese program required developing a squadron of top secret submarines--the Sen-toku or I-400 class--which were, by far, the largest and among the most deadly subs of World War II. Incredibly, the subs were designed as underwater aircraft carriers, each equipped with three Aichi M6A1 attack bombers painted to look like US aircraft. The bombers, called Seiran (which translates as “storm from a clear sky”), were tucked in a huge, water tight hanger on the sub’s deck. The subs mission was to travel more than half way around the world, surface on the US coast, and launch their deadly air attack. This entire operation was unknown to US intelligence, despite having broken the Japanese naval code. And the amazing thing is how close the Japanese came to pulling off their mission. -- Crown

I'm sure you're not surprised that the review for OPERATION STORM: JAPAN'S TOP SECRET SUBMARINES AND ITS PLAN TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF WORLD WAR II by John Geoghegan is written by my dad and not me! When I heard about this book, I had a feeling that he'd appreciate it way more than I ever could. Here are his thoughts:

OPERATION STORM by John Geoghegan is an account of a little known World War top secret plan formed by the Japanese to use super-sized submarines with special designed attack aircraft to attack New York and Washington D.C. The United States was intercepting most Japanese communications at the time but was not aware of this plan

Japan knew they could not sustain a protracted war with the United States so Isoroku Yamamoto, the mastermind of the attack on Pearl Harbor, devised a plan that would take the war to the United States mainland in an effort to demoralize America’s desire to continue the war. Even though the Japanese had already launched several bombing runs over Oregon, they knew they needed a much more dramatic attack. The plan involved the construction of 18 mammoth submarines each over 400 feet long that could stay at sea for 4 months and carry two aircraft.

In 1943 as the Japanese moved toward imminent defeat, they continued the program as a matter of pride but were forced to substantially reduce the scope. In actuality the Japanese built only three subs, two made it out to sea and neither ever fired a torpedo or launched an aircraft. They also switched their target from the mainland to the Panama Canal.

While the failed Japanese plan probably deserves no more than a footnote in the history of World War II, Geoghegan’s thorough research into the details gives him a basis to create a very interesting story. Geoghegan’s primary focus is on one of the two active super-subs called I-401. While on its final mission I-401 encountered a U. S. sub called Secundo. The signing of the peace treaty with Japan was only five days away but this chance meeting could restart the war if not handled properly.

Two of the main characters from the Japanese side were Nobukiyo Nambu and Tatsunosuki Ariizumi, both commanders on the I-401. Their personalities were absolute opposites and it’s interesting to read how each reacted to the Japanese surrender. The author’s account of their prior war activity highlights the Japanese massacre of American sailors during the war. The personal stories about the Japanese officers, sailors and fighter pilots and their families gives the reader an insight into the Japanese tradition and drive that allowed them to almost pull off this daring mission.

The American commander of the Secundo, Captain Lobdell Johnson, his rise through the Navy ranks and his handling of the potential crisis also add an interesting element to the novel.

John Geoghegan’s OPERATION STORM is a well researched and well written novel that tells an interesting story about a relatively unknown Japanese submarine program. The creative technology utilized in the program is well documented, but the most interesting aspect of his book is the stories about the principle players on both the Japanese and American sides. Anyone interested in World War II history will enjoy this book.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book and thanks to Booking Pap Pap for his outstanding review.

Review: What My Mother Gave Me

2013-05-08T00:30:00.000-04:00

Summary: In What My Mother Gave Me, women look at the relationships between mothers and daughters through a new lens: a daughter’s story of a gift from her mother that has touched her to the bone and served as a model, a metaphor, or a touchstone in her own life. The contributors of these thirty-one original pieces include Pulitzer Prize winners, perennial bestselling novelists, and celebrated broadcast journalists.

Whether a gift was meant to keep a daughter warm, put a roof over her head, instruct her in the ways of womanhood, encourage her talents, or just remind her of a mother’s love, each story gets to the heart of a relationship.

Rita Dove remembers the box of nail polish that inspired her to paint her nails in the wild stripes and polka dots she wears to this day. Lisa See writes about the gift of writing from her mother, Carolyn See. Cecilia Muñoz remembers both the wok her mother gave her and a lifetime of home-cooked family meals. Judith Hillman Paterson revisits the year of sobriety her mother bequeathed to her when Paterson was nine, the year before her mother died of alcoholism. Abigail Pogrebin writes about her middle-aged bat mitzvah, for which her mother provided flowers after a lifetime of guilt for skipping her daughter’s religious education. Margo Jefferson writes about her mother’s gold dress from the posh department store where they could finally shop as black women.

Collectively, the pieces have a force that feels as elemental as the tides: outpourings of lightness and darkness; joy and grief; mother love and daughter love; mother love and daughter rage. In these stirring words we find that every gift,  no matter how modest, tells the story of a powerful bond. As Elizabeth Benedict points out in her introduction, “whether we are mothers, daughters, aunts, sisters, or cherished friends, we may not know for quite some time which presents will matter the most. -- Algonquin

Mother's Day is right around the corner and I hope you've already purchased a gift for that special woman in your life. But if you haven't (or just need a little something extra), you should definitely consider WHAT MY MOTHER GAVE ME: THIRTY-ONE WOMEN ON THE GIFTS THAT MATTERED MOST edited by Elizabeth Benedict. This book is a collection of essays about mothers from 31 successful women including Pulitzer Prize winners, a U.S. Poet Laureate, bestselling novelists, award winning authors, and more.

WHAT MY MOTHER GAVE ME explores the special relationship between mothers and daughters. Author Elizabeth Benedict got the idea for this book after reflecting on the importance of a gift she received from her mother. She decided to ask 31 women to write essays about the most meaningful gift their mother ever gave them. The result is WHAT MY MOTHER GAVE ME!

I thoroughly enjoyed WHAT MY MOTHER GAVE ME, and quite honestly, that's not always the case for me when I pick up collections of essays. Maybe I'm just becoming more of a softie in my old age, but I found something special in each story. I loved how unique each of these essays were and the various ways the writers interpreted the question. For example, some of the writers took the question literally and mentioned a physical gift that they received from their mothers, while others answered the question with a metaphorical gift.

Naturally, there were a few essays that really resonated with me. Most of these were by authors whose works I had read in the past including Lisa See, Joyce Carol Oates, and Caroline Leavitt. There were also a few essays that I appreciated just because they were so honest. And then there was the one about a mom who wouldn't touch condiments. We are a condiment-free family so that one definitely resonated with me!

I think what impressed me the most about WHAT MY MOTHER GAVE ME was the quality of writing. All of these essays were just beautiful, and I felt like each author captured so much in just a few pages.These women held nothing back with their honesty about the sometimes difficult relationships with their mothers; and I loved that despite their problems, they still managed to find something of value in what their moms gave to them.

I highly recommend WHAT MY MOTHER GAVE ME. It's a touching tribute to the complex relationship between moms and daughters, and it's the perfect gift for Mother's Day!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Giveaway: City of Women

2013-05-07T00:17:00.000-04:00

Summary: It is 1943—the height of the Second World War. With the men away at the front, Berlin has become a city of women.

On the surface, Sigrid Schröder is the model German soldier’s wife: She goes to work every day, does as much with her rations as she can, and dutifully cares for her meddling mother-in-law, all the while ignoring the horrific immoralities of the regime.

But behind this façade is an entirely different Sigrid, a woman of passion who dreams of her former Jewish lover, now lost in the chaos of the war. But Sigrid is not the only one with secrets—she soon finds herself caught between what is right and what is wrong, and what falls somewhere in the shadows between the two . . . -- Berkley

Last year, I read CITY OF WOMEN by David R. Gillham on my train trip to New York for BEA, and I couldn't believe how good this novel was. Truly, I was blown away by! The historical elements were fascinating, but so were the characters. Here's a little snippet from my review, "CITY OF WOMEN is historical fiction at its best. It has romance, intrigue, and suspense. It also just happens to take place during one of my all-time favorite time periods -- World War II." You can read the rest of my review here.

But I wasn't the only reader who was seriously impressed by this book. Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review, Kirkus Reviews named it a Best Book of 2012 and Slate deemed it one of the most overlooked books of 2012. It's even been optioned for film by writer/director Stanley Tucci and will be produced by the same company behind Winter’s Bone, Babel, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

As of today, CITY OF WOMEN is now available in paperback, and I have a copy to share with one lucky Booking Mama reader courtesy of the publisher. To enter, just fill out the form below before May 20th at 11:59 p.m. ET. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. addresses only. Good luck!
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Review: A Spear of Summer Grass & Giveaway

2013-05-06T09:10:00.001-04:00

Summary: Paris, 1923

The daughter of a scandalous mother, Delilah Drummond is already notorious, even among Paris society. But her latest scandal is big enough to make even her oft-married mother blanch. Delilah is exiled to Kenya and her favorite stepfather's savanna manor house until gossip subsides.

Fairlight is the crumbling, sun-bleached skeleton of a faded African dream, a world where dissolute expats are bolstered by gin and jazz records, cigarettes and safaris. As mistress of this wasted estate, Delilah falls into the decadent pleasures of society.

Against the frivolity of her peers, Ryder White stands in sharp contrast. As foreign to Delilah as Africa, Ryder becomes her guide to the complex beauty of this unknown world. Giraffes, buffalo, lions and elephants roam the shores of Lake Wanyama amid swirls of red dust. Here, life is lush and teeming—yet fleeting and often cheap.

Amidst the wonders—and dangers—of Africa, Delilah awakes to a land out of all proportion: extremes of heat, darkness, beauty and joy that cut to her very heart. Only when this sacred place is profaned by bloodshed does Delilah discover what is truly worth fighting for—and what she can no longer live without. -- Harlequin

For years now, I have heard wonderful things about by Deanna Raybourn and her Lady Julia mysteries. I always figured I'd get around to reviewing one for Mystery Mondays, but unfortunately, that hasn't been the case. So when I heard that Ms. Raybourn has a new novel out called A SPEAR OF SUMMER GRASS, I decided that I might as well start with this novel.

Since I am featuring A SPEAR OF SUMMER GRASS for Mystery Mondays, you might assume that there is a mystery aspect to the story. I admit that, despite reading the book description and not really seeing a mention of it, I thought this novel would be a mystery. (I did see a review or two that referenced a mystery, so I wasn't entirely making it up!) I was almost to the end of the book when a murder occurred, so technically, there was a mystery in this story, but I wouldn't say it was a major element of the novel.

A SPEAR OF SUMMER GRASS tells the story of Delilah Drummond, a society girl who isn't afraid to get into a little trouble. Her latest scandal, however, is so bad that she's "banished" to Kenya until the rumors die down. Delilah finds herself living in the heart of Africa where animals, sometimes even dangerous ones, roam around the estate. She also encounters a few acquaintances from her past as well as a handsome and rugged man who captures her eye.

When danger strikes her home and her friends, Delilah begins to assess her own life and the decisions she's made in the past. She realizes that her partying ways and fleeting romances aren't bringing her any happiness, and she begins to focus on what's really important in her life.

I would classify A SPEAR OF SUMMER GRASS as part historical fiction/part romance with a little mystery thrown in. I am not usually a big fan of romance novels, and I might not have ever picked up this story had I known that the mystery was such a minor element. Having said that, I did enjoy A SPEAR OF SUMMER GRASS and I thought the romance was pretty well done. (I didn't find myself giggling or gagging so that says something!) I think that the story took place in Africa in the 1920s helped a bit too.

I have to say that my favorite part of the book, though, was the character of Delilah. There is no doubt that she was a woman way ahead of her time, and I loved her spunkiness. The novel was written in her voice and I found myself highly entertained by her insights and commentary. At first, I admit that I was turned off by her because she was a little bit hard to take. She was selfish, vain, and brazen, not to mention that her morals were questionable; however, it wasn't long before she captured my heart. She wasn't afraid of anything (except maybe falling in love with a good guy!) and her strength and courage when it came to helping the natives was so admirable.

I absolutely loved the setting of Kenya and I was extremely impressed with how well Ms. Raybourn brought this country (and time period) to life. Her descriptions of the country were spectacular and I could picture so many of the scenes because of the vivid details. It was apparent that she did a load of research, on both Africa and its political climate, as well as on the native animals that lived there. I was especially impressed with how she differentiated between the various tribes and I thought she did a wonderful job of showing the tensions between the whites and the blacks.

I guess I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the romance aspects of the story. I have already mentioned that I thought she did a good job with these scenes, but I wanted to elaborate on that. In my mind, A SPEAR OF SUMMER GRASS was actually more of a love story and not a "trashy" romance. There were love scenes with Delilah and men, but the descriptions were relatively tame -- I was never uncomfortable. In fact, I think the sexual tension that the author created was actually more interesting than the love scenes.

Since I am featuring A SPEAR OF SUMMER GRASS for Mystery Mondays, I have to mention it even it was a brief element of the novel. If I do have a slight complaint about the story, I just wish that the mystery had had a larger role in the story. The murder didn't occur until the end of the novel and it seemed to get wrapped up pretty quickly. That's not to say that the mystery wasn't well constructed, though, because it was. I was definitely fooled by the intricacies of the crime and the person (or persons) who was responsible.

A SPEAR OF SUMMER GRASS would be a good pick for some book clubs. There is a reading guide with eight questions included in the back of the book, but I wasn't able to find a copy on-line. Some of the things you might want to discuss include Delilah's character as well as her interactions with the other characters in the novel. You also might want to explore the political climate of Africa in the 1920s, the role of women, prejudice, sexuality, sacrifices, courage, and forgiveness.

Overall, I enjoyed A SPEAR OF SUMMER GRASS. It was a little bit outside of my comfort zone, but I think the quality of Ms. Raybourn's writing made me appreciate the story! Recommend to fans of historical fiction, romance, and (yes!) mysteries.

Giveaway alert: I have two copies of A SPEAR OF SUMMER GRASS to share courtesy of Harlequin. To enter, just fill out the form below before May 19th at 11:59 p.m. ET. I will randomly select and notify the winners the following day. This giveaway is open to those of you with U.S. and Canada addresses only. Good luck!
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Thanks to the publisher and Big Honcho Media for providing a review copy of this book.

Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.

Kid Konnection: National Star Wars Day & Giveaway

2013-05-04T00:32:00.000-04:00

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, we're going to celebrate National Star Wars Day by taking another look at a very fun book!

Happy May 4th or National Star Wars Day! May the 4th be with you -- get it? I thought it was an ideal day to revisit a terrific books that I reviewed last year called STAR WARS ORIGAMI: 36 AMAZING PAPER-FOLDING PROJECTS FROM A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY... by Chris Alexander. My entire family was impressed with this book which features step-by-step instructions for preparing 36 different Star Wars origami projects. You can make a Yoda, a Darth Vader, the Death Star, a Millennium Falcon, or even a Han Solo.

As a special tribute to this "holiday," Workman Publishing and Chris Alexander, author of STAR WARS ORIGAMI have released free downloadable origami lightsabers that Star Wars fans of all ages can make. These special edition models are easy to make -- all you have to do fold and cut , and the downloadable document includes step-by-step illustrated instructions. Kids (and parents!) can choose between the lightsabers of Mace Windu, Obi Wan, Darth Vader, or Luke Skywalker.

Thanks to the fine folks at Workman Publishing, I am able to giveaway one copy of STAR WARS ORIGAMI! To enter, just fill out the form below before Friday, May 10th at 11:59 p.m. ET. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. addresses only. Good luck and May the Force Be With You!Loading...

Summary: Kids love origami—and what could be cooler than transforming a piece of paper into Boba Fett, Princess Leia, Yoda, or R2-D2? And not just any paper, but custom-designed paper illustrated with art from the movies. Star Wars® Origami marries the fun of paper folding with the obsession of Star Wars. Like The Joy of Origami and Origami on the Go, this book puts an original spin on an ancient art. And like Star Wars® Scanimation® and Star Wars® Fandex®, it’s a fresh take on Star Wars mania.

Chris Alexander is a master folder and founder of the popular website StarWarsOrigami.com, and here are 36 models, clearly explained, that range in difficulty from Youngling (easy) to Padawan (medium), Jedi Knight (difficult), and Jedi Master (tricky!). A front section introduces origami definitions and basic folds. Bound in the back is the book’s unique folding paper, two sheets for each figure. Illustrated with original art, it makes each creation—the essential lightsabers, the Death Star, and much more—true to the movies.

Star Wars Origami includes a foreword by Tom Angleberger, author of the New York Times bestsellers The Strange Case of Origami Yoda and Darth Paper Strikes Back, and is scheduled to be published at the same time as Angleberger’s upcoming book, The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee. -- Workman

Review: What I Love About You, Mom

2013-05-03T00:09:00.000-04:00

Summary: The ultimate DIY keepsake, What I Love About You, Mom is a guided journal that helps each of us celebrate what’s special about our mothers. In your own words, express your love by sharing reflections such as:

One of my earliest memories of you is...
I'm thankful you brought me up to try to be...
Thank you for not...
I'm really looking forward to having you in my life as I... -- Plume

Mother's Day is only a little over a week away and I wanted to share with you a terrific gift idea. It's a journal called WHAT I LOVE ABOUT YOU, MOM by Kate Marshall and David Marshall. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT YOU, MOM is a fill-in-the-blank journal that allows children to show appreciation for their mothers. I honestly can't imagine a more thoughtful gift!

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT YOU, MOM allows children of all ages a way to express their gratitude for how much their mothers have done for them. There are fill-in-the-blank prompts along with checklists and spaces for photos and drawings which make each entry extra-special. There are sections that celebrate Early Days, Admiring You, Appreciating You, Enjoying Us, and My Wishes for You. In addition, there are some extra pages at the back of the journal to make the book even more personal.

As a mother, I can't even begin to express how much receiving a keepsake like WHAT I LOVE ABOUT YOU, MOM would mean to me. I know my children love me (and sometimes appreciate me!), but we aren't the most expressive family. I have a feeling that we're not alone. Life is way too short not to tell our loved ones how much we appreciate them, and WHAT I LOVE ABOUT YOU, MOM makes it easier for individuals to share their gratitude.

I think a photo of the journal is probably the best way to see how special this book truly is:

I highly recommend WHAT I LOVE ABOUT YOU, MOM for Mother's Day or any day that you want to let your mother know how much you love and appreciate her!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this unique book.

Review: Jax Headphones by SOL REPUBLIC

2013-05-02T00:22:00.000-04:00

You might be wondering why I am reviewing a set of headphones today instead of a book? Well, as many of you already know, I listen to audio books on my iPhone every day during my workouts; and I am constantly having "issues" with my headphones. Just last week, I blew through two different sets -- one starting shocking me while I was running and the other one kept skipping. And this isn't just a one time (or two time) problem for me -- it's so frustrating.

So when I was given the opportunity to check out SOL REPUBLIC's new Jax in-ear headphones for the iPod, iPhone and iPad, I jumped at the chance. These headphones are not only cute -- I have the blue ones and they match my Vera Bradley iPhone cover!, but they work extremely well. They fit my ears perfectly (which is another big problem for me with headphones), and that's because they come with four different sizes of ear tips. In addition, the cord doesn't tangle, and there is a 3-button remote control and microphone. I absolutely love them!

Currently, the headphones are available in black-on-white and stellar-on-blue; however, there are plans for more than 15 additional colors by the end of 2013. I'm hoping they come out with a pink or purple!

Here's a little bit more about the headphones:

Designed from the ground up, Jax use SOL REPUBLIC's newly developed i2 Sound Engines, which deliver powerful sound with great bass and clear highs. An ideal headphone for both playing music and talking on the phone, Jax offer users a number of benefits, including a flat cable that doesn't tangle and a durable design to withstand everyday use.

I think the headphones are an ideal gift for Mother's Day. They can be found a many retailers, including RadioShack and Best Buy for an MSRP of $39.99.

And one more big bonus: Jax headphones are part of SOL REPUBLIC's exclusive Ear Tips For Life program. They are the only manufacturer that will replace your ear tips anytime they are lost or misplaced and even if you just want a different size.

Review: A Thousand Pardons (Audio)

2013-05-01T00:47:00.000-04:00

Summary: Once a privileged and loving couple, the Armsteads have now reached a breaking point. Ben, a partner in a prestigious law firm, has become unpredictable at work and withdrawn at home—a change that weighs heavily on his wife, Helen, and their preteen daughter, Sara. Then, in one afternoon, Ben’s recklessness takes an alarming turn, and everything the Armsteads have built together unravels, swiftly and spectacularly.

Thrust back into the working world, Helen finds a job in public relations and relocates with Sara from their home in upstate New York to an apartment in Manhattan. There, Helen discovers she has a rare gift, indispensable in the world of image control: She can convince arrogant men to admit their mistakes, spinning crises into second chances. Yet redemption is more easily granted in her professional life than in her personal one.

As she is confronted with the biggest case of her career, the fallout from her marriage, and Sara’s increasingly distant behavior, Helen must face the limits of accountability and her own capacity for forgiveness. -- Random House Audio

I always had the intention to read the Pulitzer Prize nominee THE PRIVILEGES by Jonathan Dee, but unfortunately, I never got around to it. You know the saying, "So many book, so little time." Well that's certainly the case for me. However, when I was given the opportunity to review the audio book version of his latest novel A THOUSAND PARDONS, I decided that I could fit that into my reading (and workout) schedule. I knew it wasn't receiving the rave reviews that THE PRIVILEGES had garnered, but I actually thought the story sounded appealing and one that I would enjoy.

A THOUSAND PARDONS tells the story of Helen and Ben, a couple whose marriage is on the brink. They have been attending couples' counseling but telling their teen daughter Sara that they are having date nights. Even with the help of a counselor, it appears that the marriage might not be worth saving. Ben, a lawyer at a prestigious law firm, is spending less time at home while pursing a young intern. When things get out of hand with the intern, Ben finds himself arrested for DUI and facing a major lawsuit. In an effort to protect himself he voluntarily enters rehab, but Helen has had enough -- she wants a divorce.

The novel then follows Helen as she tries to reenter the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom. She ends up getting a job at a crisis management PR firm and finds that she has a talent for controlling the fallout from various crises. She makes them apologize right off the bat -- isn't that refreshing? Helen and her daughter move to New York and start their new lives.

In the meantime, Ben completes his stint at rehab and is making the transition back into society. He has basically lost everything -- his house, his family and his career; however, he's not quite ready to give up. He keeps in contact with his daughter Sara who is also trying to adjust to her new school and new relationships.

I have to say that I really enjoyed the novel up to this point. I appreciated seeing how this family came apart and then tried to "find themselves" again in entirely new circumstances. I'm not entirely sure I'd say that I loved the characters, but I was very interested in seeing how their lives played out. Furthermore, I was impressed with how well the author developed the characters and the dynamics of their relationships.

And then the story kind of changed direction and I found myself not quite liking it as much as when it focused on Ben, Helen and Sara. A famous actor, one that Helen knew from her childhood, finds himself in a bit of a quandary -- he doesn't know what happened to a woman that he picked up in a bar. He fears that he hurt her or perhaps even killed her, and he turns to Helen for help. Helen once again tries to do damage control, but I found that I didn't really care what happened to this actor character. As far as I was concerned, this storyline didn't really add all that much to the novel.

That's not to say that I still didn't enjoy this novel, because I did. All I'm saying is that I don't think the second half of the book was as smart and witty as the first. I found the main parts of A THOUSAND PARDONS -- the ones about family, marriage, and forgiveness -- to be extremely insightful. In fact, I was extremely impressed with Mr. Dee's writing style, and I am pretty sure that I'm going to have to make time to read THE PRIVILEGES.

There is no doubt that A THOUSAND PARDONS would make for an interesting book club pick. I absolutely adored how this novel explored marriage and parenting, and I found that the characters, while flawed, experienced some very real emotions. I wasn't able to find a formal discussion guide, but I can assure you won't need it. Some of the themes you might want to explore include various types of relationships, guilt, love, second chances and especially forgiveness and redemption.

The audio book version of A THOUSAND PARDONS was read by Mark Deakins, and I thought he did a good job. He had to do a variety of male and female characters and I thought he was very believable. You can sample his performance below:

A THOUSAND PARDONS was a well-written novel that did manage to make me think... and laugh. I think fans of Dees' will enjoy it as well as readers who appreciate smart literary fiction.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this audio book.

Review: The Garden of Evening Mists

2013-04-30T00:01:00.000-04:00

Summary: It's Malaya, 1949. After studying law at Cambridge and time spent helping to prosecute Japanese war criminals, Yun Ling Teoh, herself the scarred lone survivor of a brutal Japanese wartime camp, seeks solace among the jungle fringed plantations of Northern Malaya where she grew up as a child. There she discovers Yugiri, the only Japanese garden in Malaya, and its owner and creator, the enigmatic Aritomo, exiled former gardener of the Emperor of Japan. Despite her hatred of the Japanese, Yun Ling seeks to engage Aritomo to create a garden in Kuala Lumpur, in memory of her sister who died in the camp. Aritomo refuses, but agrees to accept Yun Ling as his apprentice 'until the monsoon comes'. Then she can design a garden for herself.

As the months pass, Yun Ling finds herself intimately drawn to her sensei and his art while, outside the garden, the threat of murder and kidnapping from the guerrillas of the jungle hinterland increases with each passing day. But the Garden of Evening Mists is also a place of mystery.

Who is Aritomo and how did he come to leave Japan? Why is it that Yun Ling's friend and host Magnus Praetorius, seems to almost immune from the depredations of the Communists? What is the legend of 'Yamashita's Gold' and does it have any basis in fact? And is the real story of how Yun Ling managed to survive the war perhaps the darkest secret of all? -- Weinstein Books

When my good friend selected THE GARDEN OF EVENING MISTS by Tan Twan Eng for our May book club selection, I was pretty excited. I hadn't read the novel (which is not always the case), and truthfully, I wasn't at all familiar with the story. After I read the book's description, it sounded like a book I'd really enjoy. Plus, it didn't hurt that the book was nominated for the 2012 Man Booker Prize.

THE GARDEN OF EVENING MISTS was a beautifully written book about a woman named Yun Ling Teoh, a survivor of a Japanese wartime camp. After a career prosecuting Japanese war criminals and serving as a judge, Yun Ling unexpectedly retires because she has been diagnosed with a disease that will take away her memory. She decides to return to a plantation in Northern Malaya where she spent time earlier in her life. She also begins writing down the events that have taken place in her life before she forgets all of them.

As Yun Ling thinks back on her life (a period that she hasn't wanted to remember for most of her adult life) and begins writing her personal story, the novel also reflects Yun Ling's past. The reader learns that Yun Ling came to this plantation many years ago with the desire to create a Japanese style garden in memory of her sister who died in a Japanese war camp. Because Yun Ling has suffered so much abuse at the hands of the Japanese, it's natural that she hates them; however, she meets Aritomo, a gardener who once worked for the Emperor of Japan, and asks him to create her sister's garden. He refuses but tells Yun Ling that he will teach her to design the garden herself while working as an apprentice to Aritomo.

The story follow Yun Ling as she learns about Japanese gardens but it also follows her unique relationship with Aritomo and her process of trying to heal. What is interesting is how many questions are raised as Yun Ling reveals her story like how Yun Ling managed to be the only survivor from her camp and what happened to Aritomo? The novel provides many, but not all, of the answers, and some readers will appreciate the open-endedness of the story, while others will want more closure to Yun Ling and Aritomo's story.

I am extremely curious to see what my friends think about THE GARDEN OF EVENING MISTS. I have a feeling that most (if not all) of us will say that we enjoyed the book, and I am confident that we will agree that the writing is outstanding. In fact, I truly can't rave enough about just how beautiful the prose is. The author's descriptions of the garden and the Malaya countryside are so vivid that I had no problems visualizing them; however, it was the way he presented Yun Ling and Aritomo's stories that made the book so outstanding. I loved how he incorporated such a sense of mystery into the characters and their actions.

THE GARDEN OF EVENING MISTS is a quiet story but it does pack a powerful punch. The author did a wonderful job of developing Yun Ling's character. I admit that initially her character didn't resonate with me; however, as her story was revealed, my heart broke for the pain she experienced as a child... and as an adult. It's so difficult for me to imagine that people live in a world of so much violence and fear, and I was reminded how lucky I am just to be born in the U.S.

I am having a difficult time articulating my next thought, but I'll give it a shot. I absolutely adored how the author tied the imagery of the garden (and then Yun Ling's tattoo) to the story. There is no way I can even begin to describe how well these "symbols" represented the world around the characters -- both the deceptions and the hidden truths. It's truly amazing how well Eng balanced the story and its symbolism!

I think THE GARDEN OF EVENING MISTS was an excellent choice for our book club to discuss. I wasn't able to find a formal set of questions, but we never really stick to a guide anyway. Some of the themes I hope to discuss include the effects of war, prejudice, grief, loss, truths, healing, love, forgiveness, art, and memory. I also think there are quite a few symbols, namely the garden itself, that will be interesting to dissect.

THE GARDEN OF EVENING MISTS is a gorgeous novel and one that fans of literary fiction won't want to miss.

I borrowed THE GARDEN OF EVENING MISTS from my local library.

Review: Reconstructing Amelia (Audio)

2013-04-29T08:40:00.000-04:00

Summary: When Kate, single mother and law firm partner, gets an urgent phone call summoning her to her daughter's exclusive private school, she's shocked. Amelia has been suspended for cheating, something that would be completely out of character for her over-achieving, well-behaved daughter.

Kate rushes to Grace Hall, but what she finds when she finally arrives is beyond comprehension.

Her daughter Amelia is dead.

Despondent over having been caught cheating, Amelia has jumped from the school's roof in an act of impulsive suicide. At least that's the story Grace Hall and the police tell Kate. In a state of shock and overcome by grief, Kate tries to come to grips with this life-shattering news. Then she gets an anonymous text:

Amelia didn't jump.

The moment she sees that message, Kate knows in her heart it's true. Clearly Amelia had secrets, and a life Kate knew nothing about. Wracked by guilt, Kate is determined to find out what those secrets were and who could have hated her daughter enough to kill. She searches through Amelia's e-mails, texts, and Facebook updates, piecing together the last troubled days of her daughter's life.

Reconstructing Amelia is a stunning debut page-turner that brilliantly explores the secret world of teenagers, their clandestine first loves, hidden friendships, and the dangerous cruelty that can spill over into acts of terrible betrayal.-- Harper Audio

I stayed up a little late last night listening to the end of RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA by Kimberly McCreight so I could feature it on today's Mystery Mondays post. I had another book read and ready to go, but I was so excited about RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA that I didn't want to wait another week before sharing. This audiobook was fantastic -- both because of the story and the performance!

For those of you who have been living under a rock (just kidding!), RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA explores the death of a teenage girl named Amelia. Amelia is a good kid and an even better student, so her mom Kate is shocked when she gets a call from the school to pick up her daughter. By the time Kate reaches the school, she learns that Amelia is dead from an apparent suicide. Supposedly, Kate was so upset because she was caught cheating that she jumped to her death.

Kate finds it hard to believe that Amelia would kill herself, but school officials and the police assure her that's exactly what happened. Kate is left to grieve the loss of her only daughter and try to move forward with her life, but none of this makes any sense to her. Then, Kate receives an anonymous text telling her that Amelia didn't jump; and she begins her own search through her daughter's emails, texts, and Facebook posts to try to determine what was going on in her daughter's life.

Wow! I thought RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA was a darn good mystery. It was extremely entertaining with lots of terrific twists, and as a mother, I even found it a little disturbing. (Teenage girls can be so cruel!) I won't go so far as to say that I had no idea what happened, but I will say that the author presented enough twists and turns at the end that I did change my mind more than a few times about what I thought took place. Overall, I thought it was a well constructed mystery and I enjoyed how the author told the story.

RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA was presented in a variety of ways -- snippets of Amelia's texts and Facebook posts as well as chapters narrated by Kate and Amelia. In addition, the book had flashbacks which revealed more about Kate and Amelia's pasts. It was through these flashback sections that the reader ultimately learns about what happened to Amelia; however, I especially enjoyed them because they gave me more insight into the characters. While RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA was definitely an intriguing mystery, this novel also explored some pretty serious relationship issues. And it was probably this glimpse into teenage relationships that made the book extra special to me.

RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA did deal with some very tough issues that teens face in today's society. I admit to being uncomfortable at times while listening to this novel because I think it's so much harder to grow up today than it was when I was a kid. While there are universal issues like mean girls and friendship problems, the effects of social media on communication has certainly added a whole new dimension to communication and the potential to bully. My heart just broke for Amelia (and a few of her friends!)

I hesitate to say much more about this novel because I fear that I will give away too much about the mystery surrounding Amelia's death. Many of the issues that I want to feature in this review would be considered spoilers. Suffice it to say that I found this novel (and the issues it addressed) to be refreshing and one that I won't soon forget. RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA is a must-read!

The audiobook of RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA was performed by Khristine Hvam , and I thought she did a wonderful job. Ms. Hvam did male voices, teenage boy voices in addition to a variety of female voices; and she even did managed an accent or two (if you count New York and Brooklyn ones!) I was especially impressed with her teenage girl voices -- they were just spot on. As I listened to this book, I remembered Ms. Hvam's voice from an earlier audiobook that I loved -- WHY WE BROKE UP which also featured a teen's voice.

I know a lot of book clubs are reading GONE GIRL (the book that RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA is being compared to), but I've always kind of scratched my head. I just didn't really see it as an ideal selection. However, I do think RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA would be an interesting selection especially for groups like mine consisting primarily of mothers with teen and pre-teen daughters. There is a reading guide with thirteen questions that is sure to generate some discussion. Some of the themes you might want to explore include communication, social media, technology, friendships, mother/daughter relationships, sexuality, secrets, bullying, secret societies, guilt, single parenting, grief, and forgiveness.

I thought RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA was a great read especially on audio, and I highly recommend it to fans of mysteries as well as ones who enjoy novels about relationship issues.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this audio book.

Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.

Kid Konnection: Play Ball! (Audio)

2013-04-27T00:20:00.000-04:00

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to share with you another fun baseball book that Booking Son enjoyed!

Summary: Eleven-year-old cousins catcher Liam McCarthy and pitcher Carter Jones grew up playing baseball together. Now, their team is on the verge of winning the greatest championship of all: the Little League Baseball World Series. To reach the title match, however, they must first beat their number one rivals from Southern California. Little do they know that the game will prove to be just the first challenge they'll face on their road to the championships. -- Hachette Audio

Booking Son isn't exactly a big reader, but he will read books about sports and sports figures. And if that sport can be baseball, then all the better. So it was with much excitement that we started listening to PLAY BALL! by Matt Christopher. Audiobooks work really well for Booking Son in the car, and Lord knows we are in the car all of the time.

PLAY BALL! follows eleven year old cousins Liam and Carter as they make their first appearance in the Little League World Series. The boys' team reaches the US final where they have to play the team from Southern California. When Carter recognizes a player on the CA team that mercilessly teased him at a summer baseball camp, he begins to doubt his abilities. Can the boys beat this very talented team and reach the finals?

But that's only the beginning of the story. After the Little League World Series, Liam and Carter have to face another set of challenges that will not only test their baseball team but also test their friendship!

Booking Son and I both enjoyed PLAY BALL!, although I think he liked it a bit more than I did. That's not surprising since the book is aimed at middle grade readers. Booking Son couldn't wait to get back in the car to continue the story. According to him, it was the best audiobook that he's ever read!

I asked him specifically what he liked about this book and here's what he said:

All of the baseball game scenes -- it was like listening to a ball game on the radio
Learning about the rules of Little League like the pitch count ones
Everything!

As a mom, I liked that the story was both fun and educational. I learned a thing or two about the history of the Little League World Series as well as Little League rules. In addition, I liked that the book handled some difficult topics like bullying, pressure with playing sports, following rules, and friendship problems. I also appreciated the quality of the messages in the story. The main characters were good kids and so supportive of each other.

PLAY BALL! was read by Nick Sullivan. I thought he did a great job given that he had to do kid and adult voices and even mom voices. However, what I enjoyed the most about his performance was when he "announced" the baseball games. He had a great broadcasting tone to his voice and he managed to make each at bat appearance quite dramatic.

Overall, Booking Son absolutely loved PLAY BALL! and can't wait to read (or listen to) the other ones in the series.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of PLAY BALL!

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Review: The Burgess Boys

2013-04-26T00:01:00.000-04:00

Summary: Elizabeth Strout “animates the ordinary with an astonishing force,” wrote The New Yorker on the publication of her Pulitzer Prize–winning Olive Kitteridge. The San Francisco Chronicle praised Strout’s “magnificent gift for humanizing characters.” Now the acclaimed author returns with a stunning novel as powerful and moving as any work in contemporary literature.

Haunted by the freak accident that killed their father when they were children, Jim and Bob Burgess escaped from their Maine hometown of Shirley Falls for New York City as soon as they possibly could. Jim, a sleek, successful corporate lawyer, has belittled his bighearted brother their whole lives, and Bob, a Legal Aid attorney who idolizes Jim, has always taken it in stride. But their long-standing dynamic is upended when their sister, Susan—the Burgess sibling who stayed behind—urgently calls them home. Her lonely teenage son, Zach, has gotten himself into a world of trouble, and Susan desperately needs their help. And so the Burgess brothers return to the landscape of their childhood, where the long-buried tensions that have shaped and shadowed their relationship begin to surface in unexpected ways that will change them forever.

With a rare combination of brilliant storytelling, exquisite prose, and remarkable insight into character, Elizabeth Strout has brought to life two deeply human protagonists whose struggles and triumphs will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page. Tender, tough-minded, loving, and deeply illuminating about the ties that bind us to family and home, The Burgess Boys is Elizabeth Strout’s newest and perhaps most astonishing work of literary art. -- Random House

I consider OLIVE KITTERIDGE by Elizabeth Strout to be one of my favorite books... ever! I was truly blown away by Ms. Strout's writing. So it's sure seemed like a long wait to me for her next novel THE BURGESS BOYS. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book and I have to say I wasn't disappointed. THE BURGESS BOYS was a great read... although it didn't quite live up to OLIVE KITTERIDGE. But honestly, I don't think that's even a fair expectation!

THE BURGESS BOYS tells the story of Bob and Jim Burgess, two men who are still reeling from the death of their father when they were young children. Both men couldn't wait to leave the small Maine town of Shirley Falls, and the eventually ended up in New York City working as lawyers, albeit in very different capacities. Bob is a Legal Aid attorney who has always taken a back seat to his successful brother Jim, while Jim is a successful corporate lawyer with goals of going into politics.

When their sister Susan's teenage son Zach is arrested for a crime against a Muslim church, both men return to Shirley Falls to help in whatever way they can. Their attempts to put their past behind them fails as they are forced to reexamine the events in their lives and their relationship with each other.

I thoroughly enjoyed THE BURGESS BROTHERS and found the story to be very entertaining. While I admit to having a hard time initially relating to the siblings (and even Zach for that matter), I thought that the characters were all very interesting; and by the end of the novel, I understood how their childhoods played a role in their adult selves. I'm still not certain that I ever came to truly "like" any of the characters (except maybe Bob); however, Ms. Strout has proved to me that I don't need to love a character to appreciate them. Case in point -- Olive!

THE BURGESS BROTHERS was a novel that definitely made me think... and I always consider that a good thing. What was interesting to me is that there were two distinct things about this story that affected me... and Ms. Strout managed to merge them in what seemed an effortless fashion. First of all was the human aspects of the story. By this I mean primarily the dynamic of the relationship between Jim and Bob and Susan as well as the idea of returning home. While some of the scenes made me cringe (namely how Jim treated Bob), I found their interactions to be interesting (and even entertaining) at times. I also found it fascinating how returning home to Shirley Falls affected each man.

The second aspect of the novel that intrigued me was how it explored some of the social conditions in today's society. Because Zach arguably committed a hate crime against Muslims, the ideas of prejudice, tolerance, and fear were certainly explored. In addition, the author did a great job of demonstrating how a small town and its residents behave especially in light of being threatened. I very much appreciated how a fictitious Shirley Falls served as a microcosm for our society as a whole, and there is no doubt that much of the behavior of the characters in this story deserves some reflection on the part of the reader.

I do think THE BURGESS BROTHERS would make an excellent book club selection. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find a formal discussion guide, but I don't think that should stop you from considering this novel for a future discussion. I've already touched upon a few themes that warrant some thought, but you also might want to discuss sibling rivalry, the meaning of home, family dynamics, honesty, prejudice, jealousy, alienation, pride, insecurities, guilt, forgiveness, and redemption.

I highly recommend THE BURGESS BROTHERS to fans of literary fiction and especially family dramas.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Review: The Interestings

2013-04-25T00:01:00.000-04:00

Summary: The summer that Nixon resigns, six teenagers at a summer camp for the arts become inseparable. Decades later the bond remains powerful, but so much else has changed. In The Interestings, Wolitzer follows these characters from the height of youth through middle age, as their talents, fortunes, and degrees of satisfaction diverge.

The kind of creativity that is rewarded at age fifteen is not always enough to propel someone through life at age thirty; not everyone can sustain, in adulthood, what seemed so special in adolescence. Jules Jacobson, an aspiring comic actress, eventually resigns herself to a more practical occupation and lifestyle. Her friend Jonah, a gifted musician, stops playing the guitar and becomes an engineer. But Ethan and Ash, Jules’s now-married best friends, become shockingly successful—true to their initial artistic dreams, with the wealth and access that allow those dreams to keep expanding. The friendships endure and even prosper, but also underscore the differences in their fates, in what their talents have become and the shapes their lives have taken.

Wide in scope, ambitious, and populated by complex characters who come together and apart in a changing New York City, The Interestings explores the meaning of talent; the nature of envy; the roles of class, art, money, and power; and how all of it can shift and tilt precipitously over the course of a friendship and a life. -- Riverside

I had HUGE expectations when I picked up THE INTERESTINGS by Meg Wolitzer. I had read a few of Ms. Wolitzer's novels so I knew she was an extremely talented author, but I had also seen some fantastic reviews for her latest novel. You might think with such high expectations that I was just setting myself up for disappointment (and truthfully, I was afraid of that); however, this novel was outstanding! I don't usually give books a rating, but if I did, THE INTERESTINGS would be an A+!

At its simplest, THE INTERESTINGS is a story about a group of friends. It begins at a summer camp for the arts in the early 1970s. Julie Jacobson, an awkward 15 year old who aspires to be an actress, attends the camp on a scholarship after the loss of her father. One evening, she is invited by five privileged teens to join them in a cabin, and the six form a unique bond of friendship. They even decide to call themselves "The Interestings." This story follows these individuals and their friendships over the next 30 years (or so) as they experience the ups and downs of their careers and their personal lives.

But truly THE INTERESTINGS is so much more than just those few sentences, and you have to read it to fully appreciate the scope of this novel. It's a wonderful story about some truly unique individuals; however, it explores all types of relationships and love. Furthermore, it also touches upon the themes of talent, envy and jealousy (these are defined differently in the book), class structure, wealth, power, and art. I can't express how entertained I was by this novel, but it made me think. As far as I'm concerned, it's one of the best books I've read in recent memory!

If I were to mention everything that "worked" for me in this novel, my review would be incredibly long -- even longer than my normal "long" reviews. Suffice it to say that almost everything about this novel impressed me from the story, to the writing, to the character development, to the universal themes that it explored. I am truly in awe of Ms. Wolitzer's talent. The way she managed to bring everything together in this story is nothing less than genius!

One thing I appreciated about THE INTERESTINGS were the characters themselves. They were incredibly complex and so very real to me. Julie, who now goes by Jules, is the main character; and I just loved how her character evolved throughout the novel. Jules was an insecure teen who aspired to be an actress. She tried her luck in New York only to discover that she couldn't make it, so she changes paths and becomes a therapist. The story follows her as she meets her future husband and becomes a mother, and it continues to show how big of a role her friendship with some of "The Interestings" played in her life.

I was also intrigued by the other members of "The Interestings." Naturally, all six of them don't remain close, and I was interested in how their lives played out; however, it was the ones that stayed friends whose stories really appealed to me. Two of the members, Ash and Ethan, marry and find a great deal of success in following their dreams of being "artists," while Jonah decides to go an entirely different route with his life. I especially enjoyed seeing these characters come together (and grow apart) through the years, and I found that their relationships were extremely real and honest.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Ms. Wolitzer's writing. It's just crazy good! THE INTERESTINGS is one of those books that stopped me in my tracks... quite a few times. I've already gone on and on about the character development and the story, but her prose is beautiful too. I found myself re-reading certain passages over and over again because they were just rang true with me. I was blown away by how well Ms. Wolitzer captured the essence of some very complex themes and managed to express these ideas in just a sentence or two.

I think what I loved the most about THE INTERESTINGS is how it accomplished so much. It explored so many thought-provoking themes about individuals and society while also examining the role of friendships in our lives. As a result, the novel would make an excellent book club pick because there is just so much to discuss. (My group read Wolitzer's THE TEN YEAR NAP a few years back and it was one of our best discussions!) There is a reading guide with eight fantastic questions which will help get your discussion started; however, I think it's really just a jumping off point.

Truth be told, I am so excited about THE INTERESTINGS that I'd have a hard time focusing for a book club discussion. Some of the themes I'd want to discuss include the definition of art and success as well as the role of choices versus luck. In addition, there is so much to explore surrounding various types of relationships including friendships, marriage, love, parenting, and more. And then there's the concepts of jealousy, envy, loyalty, honesty (and dishonesty), morality, class structure, wealth, responsibility, and staying true to one's self. Some groups might even decide to discuss mental illness, depression, AIDS, gay rights, autism, and child labor. Whew! That's a lot of topics -- see why I'm so impressed with the scope of this novel?

I hope I've expressed just how special of a novel THE INTERESTINGS is. I thought it was an amazing piece of literature and I highly recommend it!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Review: Fever

2013-04-24T00:34:00.000-04:00

Summary: Mary Beth Keane, named one of the 5 Under 35 by the National Book Foundation, has written a spectacularly bold and intriguing novel about the woman known as “Typhoid Mary,” the first person in America identified as a healthy carrier of Typhoid Fever.

On the eve of the twentieth century, Mary Mallon emigrated from Ireland at age fifteen to make her way in New York City. Brave, headstrong, and dreaming of being a cook, she fought to climb up from the lowest rung of the domestic-service ladder. Canny and enterprising, she worked her way to the kitchen, and discovered in herself the true talent of a chef. Sought after by New York aristocracy, and with an independence rare for a woman of the time, she seemed to have achieved the life she’d aimed for when she arrived in Castle Garden. Then one determined “medical engineer” noticed that she left a trail of disease wherever she cooked, and identified her as an “asymptomatic carrier” of Typhoid Fever. With this seemingly preposterous theory, he made Mallon a hunted woman.

The Department of Health sent Mallon to North Brother Island, where she was kept in isolation from 1907 to 1910, then released under the condition that she never work as a cook again. Yet for Mary—proud of her former status and passionate about cooking—the alternatives were abhorrent. She defied the edict.

Bringing early-twentieth-century New York alive—the neighborhoods, the bars, the park carved out of upper Manhattan, the boat traffic, the mansions and sweatshops and emerging skyscrapers—Fever is an ambitious retelling of a forgotten life. In the imagination of Mary Beth Keane, Mary Mallon becomes a fiercely compelling, dramatic, vexing, sympathetic, uncompromising, and unforgettable heroine. -- Scribner

Most of us probably have heard the term "Typhoid Mary" used to describe someone who was spreading cooties, but how many of us know the story behind the woman who was branded this name? Truth be told, I had absolutely no idea that the term was even based on an actual person; and it wasn't until I read the description for FEVER by Mary Beth Keane that I realized there is a story behind the nickname. As a reader who loves historical fiction, I was immediately intrigued.

FEVER tells the story of Mary Mallon, an Irish immigrant who lived in New York City in the early 1900s. She aspired to be a cook and had worked her way up and gained respect in the kitchen. Her life was pretty much a success by her own terms until a "medical engineer" named George Soper identified Mary as an asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever. She was sent to North Brother Island and isolated from 1907 to 1910. Mary fought tooth and nail against Soper's claim and she was eventually released under the condition that she never work as a cook again.

Mary tried to work as a laundress but she absolutely hated it. And eventually she worked her way back into the kitchen -- first in a bakery and later in a maternity hospital. Soper eventually tracked her down again and she was returned to North Brother Island for over twenty years.

I found FEVER to be absolutely riveting. Ms. Keane is an amazing writer and I loved how she brought Mary Mallon to life. I was extremely impressed with how well she mixed fact with fiction and it was apparent that she did a tremendous amount of research not only on Mary but also New York City in the early twentieth century. Her descriptions of the setting captured the essence of the time and place, but it was also how well she demonstrated the social conditions of the time that really impressed me.

FEVER is a fantastic example of what I love about historical fiction. It's an inherently intriguing story that the author embellished just enough to make it extremely special. However, I think what I appreciated the most about this novel is how it made me think and how I reacted to the story. On one hand, I found it extremely interesting that Mary Mallon was a victim in many ways. No one asks to be a carrier of a deadly disease, nor would anyone want to be removed from society to live in isolation. It seemed for quite awhile that Mary couldn't even grasp the concept that she was carrying a disease without showing symptoms. However, because of her actions, for much of the novel, I didn't like her and wasn't able to feel much sympathy towards her.

And that's because, Mary was also a really difficult woman. She was stubborn and prideful, and she absolutely refused to accept that there was any truth to Soper's claims. She blamed everyone else -- even accusing them of mistreatment because she was an immigrant and a woman. Furthermore, when she was eventually allowed to return to society, she didn't obey the rules set out for her by the Department of Health. She went right back into the kitchen even cooking for mothers and babies at a maternity hospital! While I might be able to accept that she didn't fully understand her actions in the early days, it became apparent that Mary did eventually understand, and yet she still continued to cook and put many innocent people at risk. It was fascinating to see how Mary lied to herself and others for years, and how mentally unstable she became as a result.

It wasn't until Mary realized while working at the maternity hospital that she was responsible for carrying the typhoid germ, and then it seemed that she was almost relieved to come to terms with it after all these years. It's even seemed like she felt remorse at this point. As a reader, I still wasn't sure I could forgive her and I knew I still didn't like her, but I loved how the author made the character so human and real. In fact, all of Mary's behavior (including her relationship with an addict) just fascinated me.

So it's no surprise that FEVER would make an excellent book club pick. There is a reading guide available with twelve questions along with some ideas to enhance your book club. Some of themes you might want to discuss include personal liberties versus public health concerns, addiction, class structure, prejudice, the role of media, dishonesty, and pride. Plus, Mary's actions are just so darn interesting in their own right.

Overall, I thought FEVER was a fascinating portrayal of Mary Mallon's life as well as early twentieth century life in New York City. Highly recommend for fans of historical fiction.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Review: Someday, Someday, Maybe & Giveaway

2013-04-23T00:04:00.000-04:00

Summary: From Lauren Graham, the beloved star of Gilmore Girls and Parenthood, comes a witty, charming, and hilariously relatable debut novel about a struggling young actress trying to get ahead―and keep it together―in New York City.

It’s January 1995, and Franny Banks has just six months left of the three-year deadline she set for herself when she came to New York, dreaming of Broadway and doing “important” work. But all she has to show for her efforts so far is a part in an ad for ugly Christmas sweaters, and a gig waiting tables at a comedy club. Her roommates―her best friend Jane, and Dan, an aspiring sci-fi writer―are supportive, yet Franny knows a two-person fan club doesn’t exactly count as success. Everyone tells her she needs a backup plan, and though she can almost picture moving back home and settling down with her perfectly nice ex-boyfriend, she’s not ready to give up on her goal of having a career like her idols Diane Keaton and Meryl Streep. Not just yet. But while she dreams of filling their shoes, in the meantime, she’d happily settle for a speaking part in almost anything—and finding a hair product combination that works.

Everything is riding on the upcoming showcase for her acting class, where she’ll finally have a chance to perform for people who could actually hire her. And she can’t let herself be distracted by James Franklin, a notorious flirt and the most successful actor in her class, even though he’s suddenly started paying attention. Meanwhile, her bank account is rapidly dwindling, her father wants her to come home, and her agent doesn’t return her calls. But for some reason, she keeps believing that she just might get what she came for.

Someday, Someday, Maybe is a story about hopes and dreams, being young in a city, and wanting something deeply, madly, desperately. It’s about finding love, finding yourself, and perhaps most difficult of all in New York City, finding an acting job. -- Ballantine

When I learned that the actress Lauren Graham had written a novel, part of me was pretty quick to dismiss it. While I think that Ms. Graham is a terrific actress and has loads of loyal fans, I wasn't sure that those "skills" translate to being an author. However, there was another part of me that had a feeling that it might be worth picking up. And guess what... SOMEDAY, SOMEDAY, MAYBE ended up being a very enjoyable read. I think there's a lesson somewhere in this for me!

SOMEDAY, SOMEDAY, MAYBE takes place in New York back in 1995. Franny Banks has given herself an ultimatum -- she has three years to attain a job as a legitimate actress and time is running out. Franny has only six months left and, up to now, she's had only one commercial gig. In the meantime, Franny has been waiting tables (like every other struggling actor) and taking acting lessons in the hopes that she can get an agent and ultimately some auditions!

Despite living from pay check to pay check (and asking her dad for money), Franny has a great support system in place. Her two roommates, Jane and Dan, are encouraging and assure her that success will come to her soon, but her father thinks it might be time for her to come home. Franny definitely feels like times is running out. She sometimes wonders if she should have a back-up plan which includes her long-time boyfriend; however, she's just not ready to give up her dream quite yet. Franny's acting class's showcase just might be her last chance to break into show business and meet the influential people that can make or break her career.

I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed SOMEDAY, SOMEDAY, MAYBE. I found that I loved the characters, especially Franny and her friends; and I thought their relationships were very realistic. In addition, I thought the dialogue was smart and witty and just rang true for me. And I think those reasons really sum up why I appreciated this book as much as I did. It was a genuine and realistic look at a young woman's struggle to become an actress in the mid 1990s.

I actually am pretty close in age to Franny (or at least I was in the mid 1990s), and while I didn't move to New York after college or decide to try my hand at acting, I could relate to Franny. I realize that sounds strange because of our different paths in life, but somehow Ms. Graham created a character that resonated with me (and probably many other women out there.) Franny was such a sweet character and had her fair share of insecurities, but she also had a strong sense of staying true to herself and not wanting to give up her dream. I loved rooting for her both for success in her career as well as finding some happiness on the relationship front.

I also really liked that the story took place in the mid 1990s. I graduated from college in the early 1990s and, in many ways, this story was a trip down memory lane for me. I had to laugh at the idea of no cell phones (but there were Filofaxes) as well as the constant checking for a blinking light on the answering machine. I also enjoyed all of the references to New York City in 1995 and realizing just how much it's changed in the past 20 years.

Another fun aspect of SOMEDAY, SOMEDAY, MAYBE was that the author included snippets of Franny's Filofax at the beginning of the chapters. These pages had handwritten notes and lots of doodles, and I thought they were hilarious. In addition, many of the chapters began with scripts of Franny's answering machine messages... beeps included! I can't explain why, but I really liked that Ms. Graham included these fun parts to her story.

Overall, I had a lot of fun with SOMEDAY, SOMEDAY, MAYBE; and I know that fans of Lauren Graham's are going to love it. It's just a heartwarming (and very funny!) story about a young woman aspiring to be an actress, and you can't help but get caught up in her story!

Thanks to Big Honcho Media for providing a review copy of this novel.

You can learn more about Lauren Graham and SOMEDAY, SOMEDAY, MAYBE here and follow her on twitter @TheLaurenGraham.

Giveaway alert: I have copies of SOMEDAY, SOMEDAY, MAYBE to giveaway to two lucky readers courtesy of the publisher. To enter, just fill out the form below before Monday, April 29th at 11:59 p.m. ET. I will randomly select and notify the winners the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. addresses only. Good luck!
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