Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas

Bern's Bookcase: My Real Name is Hanna Book Review

2018-09-15T16:42:00.000-04:00

5 Stars for this poignant, beautifully written debut YA novel that was inspired by real Holocaust events.

One of the most touching aspects of this book for me was the strength, determination, loyalty and love each of the characters showed during such a bleak and desperate time. It isn’t easy to sustain positivity during such a horrifying time. Yet, family, friendship, hope, culture, devotion and religious beliefs paid a pivotal role in sustaining the Jewish people through the darkest of times when all else was lost.

In My Real Name is Hanna , Hanna Slivka is a young teen forced to leave her home and life as she knows it behind when the Germans cross the border into the Ukraine intent on making the land "Jew free". Along with members of her family and others from her village, she is forced into hiding in underground caves. There they live in the damp and cold darkness with meager amounts of food and little to no real comforts for over a year.

For a book focused on a time filled with such bleakness, cruelty and despair the story was beautiful, almost lyrical in its descriptions and emphasized compassion. It focused on the people that put their lives at risk to help others. The strong familial bonds and unyielding friendships depicted were a stark contrast to the prejudice, violence and hate of the time.

This is a powerful story that should be read and experienced by all.

For more information on the real events that inspired this story check out this article on Esther Stermer and her family - Jewish-Stermer-family-Ukraine-hid-cave-escape-Holocaust.html

Bern's Bookcase: The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle Book Review

2018-09-09T15:39:00.000-04:00

My mind is officially blown! The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle had such an intricately layered plot. Trust me on this one - it's a MUST READ! Unfortunately, I refuse to explain it. You simply have to take my word for it. Why? This is the kind of read that you absolutely need to jump into blindly. You will feel like you are flailing in the water, drowning. Just keep reading, treading through the chapters as you go. Grab hold of the bits that are sent your way and store them.

Honestly, it still won't be enough. I thought I was prepared for Turton. I read carefully, giving it my full attention. I even re-read parts to be sure I understood what I thought I was meant to understand. I even highlighted and took notes on my kindle. None of it was enough. I was no match for the sheer genius of Turton's creative, out of the box thinking. I did not see where I was being led.

This was an outstanding literary puzzle! It was not only an expertly crafted, richly layered whodunnit. It truly ends up being so much more. This was a truly stunning debut novel! I can not wait to see where Turton's mind takes us next. I know I will definitely be along for the ride!

Happy Reading,

Bern

Bern's Bookcase: Truth and Lies Book Review

2018-09-02T20:33:00.000-04:00

4 Thrilling Stars for Truth and Lies

DI Amy Winter is a strong, resilient and respected police officer. She wants nothing more than to make her recently deceased police officer father proud. Then she receives a letter from Lillian Grimes, one half of a notorious and prolific serial murder duo, claiming she is her birth mother.

This book had some serious cat and mouse action going between Amy & Lillian. I enjoyed their back and forth push and pull. Lillian is pure evil. She is a master manipulator, excelling at mind games. Amy never backs down, despite the turmoil she endures as her childhood memories begin to resurface. Amy must face her past in order to uncover the location of long hidden bodies and possibly save a young girl's life.

The story took some well crafted twists & turns and left us with a very enticing cliffhanger. Mitchell certainly has an excellent start to a series here. I look forward to seeing what book 2 has in store for Amy.

Bern's Bookcase: Girl Made of Stars Book Review

2018-08-26T20:25:00.000-04:00

4.5 Poignant, Emotional & Thought-Provoking Stars for Girl Made of Stars!

This book was beautifully written. Rape, abuse, and sexuality are not easy topics. Blake did an amazing job of telling this all too important story. It was told with hope, love and healing. It doesn't sugar coat life after abuse. Yet, it was powerful in its message that victims are worth the telling. That despite a culture that often places blame on the victim they are worth believing. That there are people who will listen. That they are not simply victims - they are survivors.

This is the story of Mara. Mara is such a complex character. There was simply no way I could not adore her. She was both broken and brave, scared and strong. Mara is struggling with trauma. A secret she has kept for years that is eating away at her. It causes panic attacks, PTSD and anxiety. The silence, shame and trauma she suffered were heart wrenching to read about.

Mara is a twin. Mara & Owen are as close as twins can be. That makes it all the more complex when one of her best friends, Hannah, accuses Owen of rape. Hannah and Owen were dating. They had been sexually intimate in the past. Hannah said no, in the heat of things. Owen didn't stop. What I truly appreciated was that Blake didn't sugar coat how difficult this was for Mara. She struggled with her belief. This was her brother. How this rape affected her family, her friendships and ultimately her own truth were written with such honesty and vulnerability that it made my heart ache.

"Some parts of me are gone. Some others have come alive, woken by the need to fight, to matter, to be heard. Some parts are wary, others angry, others heartbroken. But I'm still me. I'm still moving. We all are, in some way or another."

This is YA that transcends its label. It's a book that should be read, experienced and felt by all ages and genders.

Bern's Bookcase: The Death and Life of Eleanor Parker Book Review

2018-08-19T20:23:00.000-04:00

4 Death Shattering Stars for The Death and Life of Eleanor Parker

The Death and Life of Eleanor Parker is a YA thriller with a paranormal twist. Eleanor Parker wakes up in the local river - cold, half-dressed, water spraying from her mouth and no idea how she got there.

"The memories are still just out of reach but there are two things of which I'm certain. I didn't fall into the river - I was drowned in it and, somehow, despite the fact I'm still here, I died last night."

I'm pretty good at suspending my disbelief and stretching my imagination which is a requirement in order to enjoy a read like this. If you can do that - this book is quite an enjoyable whodunnit. Eleanor was an extremely likable lead character. She was an average teenager with all the problems and drama that come with that age. Except of course that she is technically undead!

I have to admit that I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. The supernatural element was interesting and we never fully quite know what to make of it all. I liked that Wilkinson left it open to the reader's interpretation.

"If a person believes in something, really believes, then it doesn't matter what others say."

The mystery was well paced and I didn't have it figured out - WIN! The whole vibe of the book was unique and enjoyable. This is one that will definitely keep you turning the pages.