S. Krishna's Books

Book Review: Tina’s Mouth - Keshni Kashyap

2012-02-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Tina’s Mouth: An Existential Comic Diary
Author: Keshni Kashyap & Mari Araki
ISBN: 9780618945191
Pages: 256
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Genre: Graphic Novel, Teen
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Tina is a high school student at Yarbrough Academy. For a class assignment, she is keeping an existential diary. While trying to figure out the truths of her existence, she speaks with Jean-Paul Sartre on a daily basis, crushes on a boy at her high school, and rolls her eyes at her Indian parents.

Review:

Tina’s Mouth is a graphic novel/diary which takes the reader through Tina’s life. Tina is smart and witty, commenting on what is happening around her while she also grappling with changes of her own. At the beginning of her diary, Tina is completely sure of herself and her place in the world. She comments on the different groups at her school, her best friend, her siblings, and chooses not to count herself with any of them. As the book progresses, though, Tina realizes the world is more complicated than she thought, and that people don’t fit into neatly labeled boxes. It’s an important development, but is handled very subtly in the talented hands of Keshni Kashyap.

In her diary, Tina focuses on existentialism. Tina’s Mouth serves as an excellent introduction to the philosophy for anyone unfamiliar with it. As Tina goes about her life, she is constantly trying to figure out who she is and wondering about her place in the universe. It’s a great self-exploration, and if you went through your own existential phase in high school (as I did), you’ll find this book completely entertaining.

Tina also grapples with her Indian-American heritage, though this does not take center stage in the novel. Instead, it’s about Tina’s growing up. At the beginning of the book, Tina’s best friend abandons her because she isn’t interested enough in boys, but Tina develops a few crushes over the course of the book. Much of the book is taken up by simple high school drama, but it’s still entertaining to read.

The art in Tina’s Mouth is done by Mari Araki, and it’s beautifully done. It really adds to the story. While this novel does not necessarily contain the grandiose themes of some other, similar works, it’s still a fun read. Kashyap manages to keep the tone of the novel light from beginning to end, and it’s fun to watch Tina explore herself and the world around her.

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Book Review: One Moment, One Morning - Sarah Rayner

2012-02-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: One Moment, One Morning
Author: Sarah Rayner
ISBN: 9781250000194
Pages: 416
Release Date: December 20, 2011
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Three women are on the train from Brighton to London, enduring their morning commutes. It’s a day like any other, until a man named Simon collapses on the train and dies. For Karen, Simon’s widow, the world stopped at that moment. How will she go on living without her beloved husband? For Anna, Karen’s best friend, Simon’s death throws into sharp relief the shortcomings in her own relationship with her alcoholic boyfriend, Steve. And for Lou, a passerby who happens to be sitting in the same car as Simon and Karen, Simon’s death makes her think of all that she has left unfinished, including admitting the truth about her sexuality to her mother. For these three women, one moment changes everything and helps them each to find a new beginning.

Review:

One Moment, One Morning is a tribute to the power of friendship during the most difficult times. Karen doesn’t know how to get through each day after Simon’s death, though she must for the sake of their two young children. She ends up leaning on Anna, who is happy to support her friend in her time of need. However, Simon’s death is also affecting Anna personally; she can’t help but wonder if it is time for a change in her own life. She turns to Lou, whom she barely knows, for advice. As a result, the three of these women come together to support and help one another and demonstrate what a force friendship can be.

Rayner developed her characters very well. Each of these women is three dimensional and realistic. I didn’t always love the choices they made, but these decisions were the ones of any real, flawed person. Rayner brought each of these women to life for me; I became emotionally involved with them and invested in their eventual happiness. Even the secondary characters are well thought out and engaging.

The plot is definitely predictable, but somehow that didn’t take away from the novel. It’s about the journey to finding contentment, and Rayner writes that very well. Each character must make some hard realizations in order to grow and change. It’s a quiet, character-driven novel; if you’re looking for something packed with action, this is not it. It’s contemplative and will certainly make you reflect on your own circumstances, but a fast-paced book it is not.

This novel would make a perfect book club pick, as readers will enjoy picking apart the characters and questioning their decisions. One Moment, One Morning is an enjoyable novel while simultaneously being a portrait of grief. Rayner manages to keep the book from being too soporific through Anna and Lou, while never taking away from Karen’s distress at her husband’s death. It’s a delicate balance, and one the author achieves well. I look forward to seeing what she will do next.

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Book Review: Outside the Lines - Amy Hatvany

2012-02-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Outside the Lines
Author: Amy Hatvany
ISBN: 9781451640540
Pages: 384
Release Date: February 7, 2012
Publisher: Washington Square Press
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating:4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Eden West is a successful chef at a catering company, yet she finds little fulfillment in her life. All of her relationships have ended in failure because Eden cannot come to terms with her past. Her relationship with her father haunts her to this day; she doesn’t know whether he is alive or dead, but she assumes he is living on the streets. By day she works, and by nights, she visits local shelters, desperately searching for her father, who suffers from some form of bipolar disorder. When her quest leads her to a shelter run by a man named Jack Baker, Eden realizes there might be room in her life for more than just her search for her father.

Review:

Outside the Lines is a heartwrenching look at dealing with mental illness. As a child, Eden adores her father. Even during his darkest times, she stands by him, unable to understand why her mother will not help him. She truly believes that, through the force of her love for him, she can will him to take his medicine. Eden thinks that her father’s mental illness is in her control; if she is good enough, if she loves him enough, he will get better. After all, what father wouldn’t do that for his daughter?

Though Eden has matured into a logical and capable young woman, she still sees her father as her ten-year-old self did. She hasn’t lost that conviction that if she just loves him enough, it will get better. That’s part of the reason she is so driven to find her father; if he knows she still loves him and hasn’t rejected him, it will be enough for him to take his medication and live a “normal” life. As the reader begins to understand what Eden has been through and how traumatic her childhood was, their heart will bleed for her. All she wants is David to be the father she needs, and they know that, deep down, she will never find that.

One of the main messages of Outside the Lines is about how to love people. Loving a person does not mean trying to change them into what you believe they should be. It’s not about forcing your ideas or opinions onto them. It’s about loving who they are, regardless of their flaws (or perhaps, because of them) and respecting their choices. Eden must learn this lesson over and over again in Outside the Lines; it’s incredibly bittersweet, but so realistic.

Hatvany wrote her characters very well in Outside the Lines. Whether a major or minor personage, it’s clear that Hatvany wanted these people to leap off the page at the reader. As a result, this doesn’t feel like a book; it feels as though you are taking a peek into someone else’s life. I have no doubt that Eden exists somewhere, in some way. She’s too realistic to be mere fiction.

While Eden is the primary narrator of the novel, the reader also gets to hear parts of the story from David’s point of view. While this is eye-opening, it’s also terrifying. Hatvany gets into the mind of a mentally ill person so well - David’s guilt at not being able to be a dependable father for Eden, his vulnerability to his sickness, his highs and lows. Without these glimpses, it would be easy to write David off because bipolar disorder is such a difficult thing to really get. Instead, though, the reader begins to understand David, and even more, to see that there is absolutely nothing Eden can do to help him in the way she wants to.

Outside the Lines is such an incredible read, and there is so much I haven’t covered in this review - Hatvany’s considerate treatment of the homeless, an honest, yet flawed man in Jack, and more. There are so many aspects to it, and all are incredibly well-written and realistic. This novel could so easily have been just another cliché, yet it’s honest and true. Whether for a book club pick or for a lazy afternoon, I can’t recommend this amazing novel highly enough.

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Wordless Wednesday - New Zealand Edition

2012-02-08T04:00:00.000-05:00

Mount Cook, New Zealand

Book Review: The Rebel Wife - Taylor M. Polites

2012-02-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: The Rebel Wife
Author: Taylor M. Polites
ISBN: 9781451629514
Pages: 304
Release Date: February 7, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Augusta Branson is a young widow living in post-Civil War Alabama. Her husband, Eli, has just died, adding to the many things that have changed about her world over the last few years. Completely alone, Augusta must protect herself and her household staff against the whispers of the community - after all, Augusta’s husband was an activist on behalf of the slaves, an unpopular view in the South. When Augusta learns of a bundle of money her husband hid before he died, Augusta must work with a former slave to find it before those who wish her harm do.

Review:

The Rebel Wife is a rich portrait of the post-Civil War South. Polites’ descriptions are vivid and his details are mesmerizing. He clearly researched this novel thoroughly, ensuring that he could bring this setting alive for the reader. He immerses the reader completely in this hot, sticky world full of politics and prejudice; the tension is palpable. It’s a searing, honest portrayal of Southern society before and after the war.

Augusta is a fascinating character in The Rebel Wife. At the beginning of the novel, she is a stereotypical Southern belle, a demure woman who follows orders and doesn’t associate with the rabble. But as the novel progresses, she really breaks free of that shell. She makes deals with the former slaves in her house, actively works against a well-respected man who claims to be looking out for her, looks into her husband’s finances and investments, and more than anything, tries to understand what is going on in the world around her. I loved getting to know Augusta and watch her come into her own. And indeed, this is true of many characters in the novel; though they start as stereotypes, they overcome these labels over the course of the book.

The main character is also fascinating because of her history. Augusta’s family were slave-owning nobility in antebellum Alabama society. But, for some reason, Augusta was forced into a marriage to Eli, an activist against slavery. Even Augusta isn’t fully aware of all the details surrounding her marriage, but one thing is clear from the beginning of the novel: she resents it. But as the book progresses, and Augusta learns more about Eli posthumously, she realizes that things were much more complicated than they seemed. Polites weaves Augusta’s complicated history well, and it serves as both a source of character development and a strong plot device to keep the reader hooked.

The Rebel Wife is an interesting look at the post-War South, at a time where racial tensions were high. Polites combines the history with intriguing characters and turns this novel into a suspenseful read. Though there are some slow spots towards the middle of the book, it’s still a novel well worth reading, and would work perfectly as a book club pick.

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Book Review: The Crown - Nancy Bilyeau

2012-02-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: The Crown
Author: Nancy Bilyeau
ISBN: 9781451626858
Pages: 416
Release Date: January 10, 2012
Publisher: Touchstone
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Joanna Stafford is a member of a once-proud, now-disgraced noble family living in England under King Henry VIII. Joanna is a novitiate at Dartford Priory, intent on giving her life to God and her fellow nuns. But when she receives word that her beloved cousin is going to be executed for heresy, Joanna risks everything to be at her side when she is burned at the stake. But after the execution, Joanna herself is arrested and placed in the Tower of London. The only way she can leave is to agree to find a crown for Bishop of Winchester Stephen Gardiner, one that is rumored to be hidden at Dartford.

Review:

Nancy Bilyeau’s debut novel is difficult to categorize. It’s definitely a rich work of historical fiction - Bilyeau breathes new life into this time period that has been done so many times before. By writing about the religious upheaval from the point of view of one of the people it will affect the most, the author has made her novel unique. The historical details are vivid and it’s clear that Bilyeau did her research while writing the novel. As a result, the reader is completely immersed into this uncertain period of history.

However, The Crown is also a suspense novel, in which Joanna must hunt for a priceless artifact. While it may sound like The Da Vinci Code, and it certainly has elements of that, this novel is smart and engaging. The comparison does The Crown an injustice because of its complexity. As Joanna searches for the crown, she is given pause by Bishop Winchester. She knows she must not give him the artifact, yet the bishop holds something precious to Joanna as collateral. This moral grappling really gives the novel added depth.

Indeed, Joanna is a lovely main character for The Crown. It’s clear that, while she is devoted to her future as a nun, she is still worldly during the present. This makes her very relatable, as she is trying to handle her warring impulses. What comes first, duty to her priory or her family? It’s a great question, and it just gets more complicated as the novel progresses. Joanna is a smart heroine, and Bilyeau populates the novel with well-developed and interesting secondary characters. It makes for a full, entertaining read.

The Crown is one of the most enjoyable historical fiction novels I’ve read in recent memory. The plot is thick and meaty, the characters leap off the page, and Bilyeau deals with the time period and history incredibly well. These aspects come together to make a really fascinating read. Here’s hoping that this is merely the first of Joanna Stafford’s outings, as I would love to revisit her in the future.

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Sunday Salon

2012-02-05T11:50:00.001-05:00

Good morning everyone! While most people will be getting ready to watch the big game today, today is a day of relaxing for us. We’re not big into sports, and while we might have the game on in the background, I’m looking forward to doing some reading and blogging today.

I had another great reading week this week - I finished Pure by Julianna Baggott, a book that everyone’s been buzzing about for a long time now. It was definitely interesting, though a bit slow and long. However, I’d hesitate to say it’s overly long because Baggott took so much care in developing her world, something that’s important to me in dystopian novels. I definitely had mixed feelings about it. Some other interesting novels I finished this week were No Mark Upon Her by Deborah Crombie, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, and The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (yes, for the first time).

This week, I wrote about The Dark Thing from A Wrinkle In Time as part of the 50th anniversary blog tour. I also posted my monthly review for January 2012 and posted a picture of boats in the harbor at Waiheke Island, New Zealand for my Wordless Wednesday picture.

Reviews posted this week:

The Thirteen Hallows - Michael Scott & Colette Freedman	The Uncoupling - Meg Wolitzer
Home Front - Kristin Hannah	The Legacy of Eden - Nelle Davy
A Wrinkle In Time: 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition - Madeleine L’Engle	The Devil’s Bones - Jefferson Bass
The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook, 2nd Edition - Beth Hensperger & Julie Kaufmann

Book Review: The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook, 2nd Edition - Beth Hensperger & Julie Kaufmann [TSS]

2012-02-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook, Revised - 250 No-Fail Recipes for Pilafs, Risottos, Polenta, Chilis, Soups, Porridges, and More
Author: Beth Hensperger & Julie Kaufmann
ISBN: 9781558326675
Pages: 368
Release Date: January 17, 2012
Publisher: Harvard Common Press
Genre: Cookbook
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

I have a fancy rice cooker, but don’t really use it for anything other than making white and brown rice. Therefore, I was very intrigued by The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook. An entire dish made within my rice cooker? It sounded like a fabulous way to get the most out of my rice cooker, not to mention the ease of cleaning up.

It’s worth mentioning that this is actually the second edition of this cookbook. It contains fifty new recipes not included in the previous edition. However, since the book has been updated to focus on fuzzy logic rice cookers, I would guess that some recipes have been revised or eliminated as well. If you are interested in a rice cooker cookbook and don’t have the first edition, I would definitely pick The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook up, but if you do have it, I’d check this one out before purchasing.

The cookbook begins with a discussion of rice cookers (not sure what a fuzzy logic rice cooker is, or if the one you have falls into that category? Neither was I until I read this section) and different types of rice. This is invaluable to read before starting, as each recipe calls for a specific type of rice. It’s good to be familiar with the different kinds before embarking on these recipes. The rest of the book is divided into sections based on the different types of dishes one wishes to make.

I’ll admit that of the two recipes I’ve tried from this book, both are risottos. The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook has many different amazing sounding recipes, and I’ll definitely be making other types in the future, but the risottos really surprised me. If you’ve never made risotto, they’re stick-to-your-ribs good, but take about 25 minutes of constant (and I mean CONSTANT) stirring. The thought of being able to make this labor intensive dish in my rice cooker was really appealing.

I began with the butternut squash risotto. Preparation was simple - these recipes don’t have many ingredients. However, it’s not a matter of simply dumping ingredients in your rice cooker and setting it to cook (it’s not a slow cooker). I had to add ingredients in order, and do a little cooking - sauteing onions in the rice cooker, for example. You also can’t leave the cooker completely alone. Cooking times are different than pre-programmed settings, so I usually use a separate timer and manually turn off the rice cooker when the book instructs me to.

Both the butternut squash risotto and the Italian sausage risotto (the second dish I made) were completely delicious. I was really surprised at how easy they were (10 minutes prep each, maximum) and how amazing they tasted. The risotto had the perfect consistency, and I am thrilled to have discovered a shortcut to making this difficult dish. While I don’t have a picture of the butternut squash risotto, here’s a picture of the Italian sausage risotto:

All in all, I am thrilled with The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook. There are so many delicious recipes within its pages, and I’m so excited to actually use my rice cooker for something a little more complicated. These recipes are simple but packed with taste and, from my own experiences and flipping through the book, they are surprisingly easy to make. I can tell I’ll be relying on this book for quick weeknight dinners quite a bit in the future. If you have a fuzzy logic rice cooker and want to get more use out of it, this book is a must-buy!

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Book Review: The Devil’s Bones - Jefferson Bass

2012-02-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: The Devil’s Bones
Author: Jefferson Bass
ISBN: 9780060759902
Pages: 320
Release Date: January 27, 2009
Publisher: Harper
Genre: Crime Fiction
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

When Dr. Brockton receives a set of cremated remains, he is puzzled. That is, until a friend explains to him that those are supposed to be the ashes of his aunt, but his uncle has his doubts. Brockton agrees to investigate as a favor, while also facing the prospect of testifying at the upcoming trial of a man who tried to murder him. Brockton has a lot on his plate, but what he doesn’t realize is that things are about to get a lot more complicated.

Review:

I was a fan of the first two novels in Jefferson Bass’ Body Farm series, Carved in Bone and Flesh and Bone, but it wasn’t until this third novel, The Devil’s Bones, that I truly became a fan of the series. I had my doubts as to how Bass could keep up the suspense of the series, and I figured that each book would turn into just another variation on the same plot and theme. But The Devil’s Bones proved that Bass produces unique, fresh novels that are as engaging as they are different from one another.

This novel has many plot threads, as Bill juggles many cases in his day-to-day job. Bass fleshed out all of them well, and kept the reader interested in each. Many of them were new to the novel, but some required being informed about the plots of previous novels in the series. As a result, I wouldn’t treat this book as a standalone. Reading these books in order is the best way to derive full enjoyment out of them.

Brockton is a great character, and Bass develops him further over the course of the book. It’s clear that he’s still shattered by the death of someone close to him, and he’s having trouble moving on. I appreciated his healing over the course of The Devil’s Bones, and look forward to seeing where Bass takes him next. All in all, this is an extremely enjoyable series, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in crime fiction and forensics.

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A Wrinkle in Time: The Dark Thing

2012-02-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

“What could there be about a shadow that was so terrible that she knew that there had never been before or ever would be again anything that would chill her with a fear that was beyond shuddering, beyond crying or screaming, beyond the possibility of comfort?”

- A Wrinkle in Time, 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition

The Dark Thing. Just its name makes one shudder. But what it actually is? That is beyond imagining.

The Dark Thing is pure evil. It’s a world without books, without the pleasures of reading, without the warmth of the sun. It’s a world without love or joy, without hope. Can you imagine?

I think that The Dark Thing is one of the scariest characters in all of literature because it is complete, unadulterated evil. There is no room for anything except hate and anger. But still, despite the fear that The Black Thing puts in us, there are people who fight. Artists, authors, leaders - people who bring justice to and put beauty in the world. People who fight to express themselves, though they may be different. Through A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L’Engle is telling us that, in order to fight evil, we must pursue our passions.

It’s a beautiful message, especially at a time when the world is facing an economic crisis and wars are raging. It’s enough to make you wonder how much influence The Black Thing has over our world right now. But, even in the darkest times, we must think of little Meg Murry. Meg, who was made fun of at school and had been underestimated all her life. This girl fights to save her father and her brother from evil, and she does it using the only weapon she has: love.

Fifty years after it was written, that message is still so important. The best weapon against evil, against the Dark Thing, was Meg’s ability to love. That made all the difference.

Please visit The Wrinkle in Time Facebook page for more information on the 50th Anniversary Edition of the book and this blog tour.

Book Review: A Wrinkle In Time: 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition - Madeleine L’Engle

2012-02-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: A Wrinkle In Time: 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition
Author: Madeleine L’Engle
ISBN: 9780374386160
Pages: 280
Release Date: January 31, 2012
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Genre: Classics, Teen, Fantasy
Source: Big Honcho Media
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Meg Murry has always known her family is different. From her beautiful mother, to her father that has disappeared with no explanation, to her prodigy of a little brother, Charles Wallace, the Murrys aren’t like any other family. So when the unexplainable happens, and Meg ends up on another planet with Charles Wallace and their friend, Calvin O’Keefe, what can she do but go along? Soon, Meg realizes the stakes of what is happening as she fights to save her brother and father from the clutches of The Dark Thing, the root of all evil.

Review:

Writing a summary of A Wrinkle in Time was surprisingly difficult. After all, it’s a classic many of us read as children. Meg, Charles Wallace, Calvin - these aren’t just names to us, they are real people. So it’s not a surprise that I had trouble putting into words just what this book is about, because let’s face it - it’s about so much more than the storyline. The book has hidden depths and crevasses, but it also has personal memories stored within its pages. The first time you saw the cover, the first time you met Meg Murry - how does one summarize that?

My re-read of A Wrinkle in Time was a joy, but also a surprise. There were things I forgot, characters that my memory had let slip. The story is classic; in some ways, it’s a little silly, but it’s also horribly frightening. The world of Camaztoz, where everyone is exactly alike, is a dystopian world at a time when that genre wasn’t the newest fad in literature. It’s so ahead of its time, yet its truths are completely timeless. Love, brother and sisterhood, individuality - these are qualities which will never diminish in importance.

The 50th anniversary commemorative edition is absolutely beautifully put together. The dust jacket is vibrant and shimmering. Inside, along with the book’s text, there is a forward from Katherine Paterson, copies of the original manuscript pages, L’Engle’s Newbury acceptance speech, and more. It really is a must-buy for any fan of the novel; this is a book that will have a home in my library for a lifetime.

It’s so difficult to review A Wrinkle In Time because it’s such a classic that is woven into my childhood. If you haven’t read it before, the 50th anniversary is a perfect time to introduce yourself to the Murry family for the first time. It’s a book that resonates and is just as relevant today as it was 50 years ago.

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Monthly Review: January 2012

2012-02-02T20:00:00.000-05:00

Number of book reviews posted: 31
Number of books read: 36

5 Star Reviews

Posts, Features & Random Musings

The World We Found Discussion: Characters and Marriages
The World We Found Discussion: Friendships and Relationships
The World We Found Discussion: Money and Power
The World We Found Discussion: Other Topics
The World We Found Discussion: Religion
The World We Found Discussion: Repression and Control
Wordless Wednesday: New Zealand Edition - Hot Water Beach
Wordless Wednesday: New Zealand Edition - Mirror Lakes at Milford Sound
Wordless Wednesday: New Zealand Edition - Waterfall at Milford Sound
Wordless Wednesday: New Zealand Edition - Wellington Harbor

List of book reviews

Unsaid - Neil Abramson
American Dervish - Ayad Akhtar
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - Simon Armitage
MWF Seeking BFF - Rachel Bertsche
A Red Herring Without Mustard - Alan Bradley
Invictus - John Carlin
Miracle Beach - Erin Celello
Sarah’s Key - Tatiana de Rosnay
The Prague Cemetery - Umberto Eco
At the King’s Pleasure - Kate Emerson
Blind Submission - Debra Ginsberg
The Thorn and the Blossom - Theodora Goss
The Whole Story of Half a Girl - Veera Hiranandani
Deeper than the Dead - Tami Hoag
Affairs of Steak - Julie Hyzy
Instant City: Life and Death in Karachi - Steve Inskeep
The Woman Who Heard Color - Kelly Jones
The Poison Tree - Erin Kelly
A Clash of Kings - George R.R. Martin
Missing Persons - Clare O’Donoghue
Come In and Cover Me - Gin Phillips
A Million Suns - Beth Revis
Under the Never Sky - Veronica Rossi
The Thirteen Hallows - Michael Scott & Colette Freedman
The Innocent - Taylor Stevens
The Legacy - Kristen Tranter
The World We Found - Thrity Umrigar
The Partly Cloudy Patriot - Sarah Vowell
If Jack’s In Love - Stephen Wetta
Boozehound - Jason Wilson
The Uncoupling - Meg Wolitzer

Books I’ve read this month

Pure - Julianna Baggott
The Calling of the Grave - Simon Beckett
The Crown - Nancy Bilyeau
The Villa of Death - Joanna Challis
Carrying the Fire - Michael Collins
The Foremost Good Fortune - Susan Conley
A Promise of Safekeeping - Lisa Dale
The Legacy of Eden - Nelle Davy
Sarah’s Key - Tatiana de Rosnay
French Leave - Anna Gavalda
Straphanger - Taras Grescoe
The House at Sea’s End - Elly Griffiths
Home Front - Kristin Hannah
Outside the Lines - Amy Hatvany
A Grown Up Kind of Pretty - Joshilyn Jackson
All the Flowers in Shanghai - Duncan Jepson
Tina’s Mouth - Keshni Kashyap
The Hypnotist - Lars Kepler
A Wrinkle in Time: 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition - Madeline L’Engle
Fragile Eternity - Melissa Marr
The Lost Empire of Atlantis - Gavin Menzies
The Rebel Wife - Taylor M. Polites
One Moment, One Morning - Sarah Rayner
On Borrowed Time - David Rosenfelt
The Thirteen Hallows - Michael Scott & Colette Freedman
An Equal Music - Vikram Seth
One Was a Soldier - Julia Spencer-Fleming
The Inheritance - Simon Tolkien
Murder Takes the Cake - Gayle Trent
If Jack’s In Love - Stephen Wetta
Boozehound - Jason Wilson
The Uncoupling - Meg Wolitzer

Book Review: The Legacy of Eden - Nelle Davy

2012-02-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: The Legacy of Eden
Author: Nelle Davy
ISBN: 9780778329558
Pages: 384
Release Date: January 24, 2012
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Gothic Mystery
Source: Meryl L. Moss Media Relations
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Meredith Pincetti has spent the last few years trying to forget everything to do with her past. But now, it has come back to haunt her. When she receives a letter from a lawyer stating her cousin, the caretaker of her family’s home, Aurelia, has died, it brings the past rushing back. Now, Meredith must return home to the place she once loved, a place that has so many bad memories, and face it once and for all.

Review:

The Legacy of Eden is a novel with a very gothic feel. Everything centers around the family’s home of Aurelia. It seems cursed, as though the house is wreaking revenge for the crimes of Lavinia Hathaway, Meredith’s grandmother. Lavinia was a strong matriarch, watching over her family and sidelining those she believed to be a threat to it. In many ways, the rest of the Hathaway family is still paying for Lavinia’s single-mindedness and strong will; she was the cause of her family’s destruction.

At the beginning of The Legacy of Eden, Meredith is the type of woman who is lost in a crowd. Unsure of herself, she is a simpering mess who seems to be cowering from the world. But as the novel progresses and Meredith returns to Aurelia, she begins to deal with the painful memories that have emotionally crippled her. While the journey isn’t as dramatic as one would hope, it’s clear that she is taking the first steps towards the healing process, towards coming to terms with her broken past.

The novel uses time jumps in order to flesh out the past while still telling Meredith’s story. Davy uses the technique well, and she brings Lavinia’s heyday to life. The novel retains its dark, gothic atmosphere from beginning to end. It makes for a close, almost uncomfortable read, as readers know that the story is heading somewhere tragic, and indeed, it would be hard to argue that the Hathaway family wasn’t cursed by the end of the novel.

Gothic novels set in the modern-day are difficult to find, so The Legacy of Eden was a treat. Davy paces the novel well, revealing key plot details in order to heighten suspense, so the reader stays interested from beginning to end. The character of Meredith leaves something to be desired, but overall, this novel is a gripping, atmospheric read that would make an interesting book club pick.

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Book Review: Home Front - Kristin Hannah

2012-02-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Home Front
Author: Kristin Hannah
ISBN: 9780312577209
Pages: 400
Release Date: January 31, 2012
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: SheKnows Book Club
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Jolene Zarkades found refuge with the military after a difficult childhood. Now, a married woman raising two children, she still flies helicopters for the National Guard. But things at home aren’t quite as simple as they are behind a helicopter’s controls. Her daughter, Betsy, is on the cusp of adolescent angst, angry and difficult all the time. The rift between Jolene and her husband, Michael, has been widening, to the point where Jolene wonders if the damage is irreparable. All these problems come together when Jolene’s unit is tapped for Iraq duty. Jolene must leave her family behind and face danger, while Michael tries to cope with being a single father to two daughters he barely knows.

Review:

Home Front is a look at a life on the front lines, both at home and in Iraq. Jolene is a dedicated, hardworking mother. She loves her family, and above all, she wants to care for and nurture them. But her National Guard unit members are like her family as well, and Jolene refuses to give them up. From the beginning, it’s clear that Michael resents Jolene for this. He has never tried to understand her connection to the Guard; instead, he tolerates it. But when her commitment to service threatens to tear their family apart physically, Michael allows his resentment to come to the surface and blames his wife for her duty.

This is a complex book that deals with many difficult issues. While Jolene’s family always comes first, she cannot step back from her Guard commitment just because things have gotten difficult. However, her family cannot see that. Instead of being proud of her service, each is resentful in their own way. While understandable, it’s incredibly difficult for Jolene, who is determined to protect her family from what she is seeing in Iraq. But as the novel progresses, and Michael begins to understand what Jolene’s service really means, he undergoes a beautiful transformation. Each of the characters in this novel is growing and changing; I was surprised many times by how much they developed over the course of the book, and how my feelings towards them could change.

Hannah portrays the impact of war on one American family in Home Front, and she does an amazing job of it. This is a subject not often addressed in women’s fiction, and I’m glad she chose to make it the central point of her novel. There are difficult truths and deep thoughts that abound through the novel, yet Hannah never makes it too heavy. In the end, she always comes back to the heart at the center of the book - love and family.

Home Front is a powerful, moving novel that gripped me from beginning to end. Hannah’s characters, while sometimes very frustrating, are incredibly realistic. Like any person, they make mistakes, but grow and change from them. Hannah’s commentary about the lack of resources for soldiers returning home from war and trying to adjust back into an old life is pitch perfect and timely. It’s an amazing read, and would make a perfect book club pick.

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Wordless Wednesday - New Zealand Edition

2012-02-01T04:00:00.000-05:00

Boats in the harbor at Waiheke Island

Book Review: The Uncoupling - Meg Wolitzer

2012-01-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: The Uncoupling
Author: Meg Wolitzer
ISBN: 9781594487880
Pages: 288
Release Date: April 5, 2011
Publisher: Riverhead
Genre: Literary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:

When the new drama teacher at a high school in Stellar Plains, NJ chooses Lysistrata as the annual play, people are concerned. After all, is a production about women withholding sex in order to protest a war really appropriate for high schoolers? But when the women of Stellar Plains begin to lose any drive they once had to sleep with their husbands, life begins to imitate art in the most interesting of ways.

Review:

The Uncoupling is a thought provoking novel about the connections between war and sex. In Lysistrata, men go to die in an unending war for nothing. There is no purpose to it anymore, but they fight because to do otherwise would take away some of their power. There is power for men in war. So the woman protest in the best way they can - they refuse to have sex with their husbands until the war is over. That is where their power lies. It’s an interesting discussion, and one that Wolitzer really delves into in her novel.

However, The Uncoupling didn’t work for me as well as I’d hoped. While I thoroughly appreciated and reveled in the philosophical discussions, the story was lacking for me. I didn’t connect with any of the characters - there are many packed into this short book, and I felt like the story was constantly jumping from one to another in order to flesh out the larger themes. Even then, though, I felt like the book was barely scratching the surface. There are so many storylines, so many themes, that Wolitzer could have explored in this novel, yet I feel like there was very little depth to it. It was all on the surface.

The plot of The Uncoupling also didn’t thrill me. While I loved the premise and was excited to see what Wolitzer would do with it, the novel never came together. I kept waiting for the plot to develop, waiting for some sort of forward movement, and then all of a sudden the book was over. The ending was surprising and enjoyable, but it didn’t make up for the serious lack of forward momentum in the rest of the novel.

I really wanted to love The Uncoupling, but it just fell short for me. I adored the commentary on how old literature is still relevant, but overall lack of development kept me from really enjoying it. I will say that almost everyone I know who has read this book has absolutely loved it, so I’d definitely check out some other reviews if you’re still interested in this novel.

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Book Review: The Thirteen Hallows - Michael Scott & Colette Freedman

2012-01-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: The Thirteen Hallows
Author: Michael Scott & Colette Freedman
ISBN: 9780765328526
Pages: 352
Release Date: December 6, 2011
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Sarah Miller is going about her day when she sees an old woman being attacked. Little does she know that, in running to the woman’s rescue, her life will be changed irrevocably. The woman, Judith, is a Keeper of one of the thirteen Hallows, a group of ancient and powerful artifacts that some will stop at nothing to obtain. Sarah finds herself embroiled in a deadly supernatural battle with no knowledge of how to stop it.

Review:

The Thirteen Hallows is a mix of urban fantasy, the supernatural, and ancient history. The Thirteen Hallows derive from Welsh history, and Scott and Freedman have brought them into the modern day setting with their novel. As a result, the book is imbued with a fascinating mythology, one that any history lover will appreciate. Setting the book inside existing legend gives the book a certain gravitas it would not have been able to create on its own.

Because Michael Scott is the author of some fantasy books aimed at young readers, some have assumed that The Thirteen Hallows is written for the same audience. However, that is not the case. This book is aimed at adults. There is a lot of sex and violence in this book, gratuitous amounts in my opinion, so don’t give this book to your child on an assumption. The gory depictions in this novel are difficult to stomach, and I’ll admit, I skimmed more than one stomach-turning scene.

Still, despite my distaste for the sheer amount of violence in this book, I did enjoy it quite a bit. As discussed previously, the history is fascinating. The main character, Sarah Miller, is appealing, and it’s really interesting to see how the Hallows change her over the course of the novel. She is definitely not the same person at the end as the beginning, and I loved witnessing that development. I will admit that I wished the book focused more on the history, less on the action, but The Thirteen Hallows is a novel that doesn’t let up for a second.

It’s clear that The Thirteen Hallows is the first in a series, and I look forward to seeing what comes next. Scott and Freedman have set up a fascinating premise in this book, and I look forward to delving more into the hallows in future novels. If you’re a fan of urban fantasy, I’d definitely consider checking this book out (at least, as long as you aren’t faint of heart).

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Sunday Salon

2012-01-29T10:30:00.001-05:00

Good morning everyone! This week has been all about catching up and getting some reading done, which I’ve loved. It’s always nice to have one of those quiet weeks where you don’t have to stress out about anything - I almost forgot what that felt like!

I finished quite a few books this week, which is a welcome change. There are so many great books coming out in 2012, and I seem to want to read all of them! Some of the great ones I read this week are A Grown Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson, Outside the Lines by Amy Hatvany, and The House at Sea’s End by Elly Griffiths. I adored all of these books. Of course, now that I’ve stepped up on reading, I’m uber-behind on reviews. It’s a vicious cycle, but one that I love to be a part of!

Next week, the blog posting schedule returns to normal, which will be nice. I’m also hoping to have a lot of reading time again, as it’s how I unwind and decompress after a long day.

Reviews posted this week:

A Red Herring Without Mustard - Alan Bradley	Sarah’s Key - Tatiana de Rosnay
Affairs of Steak - Julie Hyzy	If Jack’s In Love - Stephen Wetta
Boozehound - Jason Wilson	Blind Submission - Debra Ginsberg
The Partly Cloudy Patriot - Sarah Vowell

Book Review: The Partly Cloudy Patriot - Sarah Vowell [TSS]

2012-01-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: The Partly Cloudy Patriot
Author: Sarah Vowell
ISBN: 9780743243803
Pages: 197
Release Date: September 23, 2003
Publisher: Simon & Schuster (Print) / Simon & Schuster Audio
Genre: Non-Fiction, Essays, Audiobook
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

In this essay collection, Sarah Vowell discusses subjects such as her obsession with Canada, her experiences at George W. Bush’s presidential inauguration, how life is different when you are a twin, and more.

Review:

The Partly Cloudy Patriot is a collection of observations and thoughts from Sarah Vowell, a gifted and highly amusing writer with an American history obsession. These essays are short; rather than being in-depth and focused pieces, they are random, almost stream-of-consciousness topics. While most have to do with America, history, and patriotism, Vowell also writes about Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This makes for a completely novel experience while reading The Partly Cloudy Patriot; you never know where you will end up next, and it makes for a fun ride.

Just as in her other books, Vowell doesn’t hide her political leanings or personal opinions in The Partly Cloudy Patriot. This makes the book that much funnier, as she unleashes her biting, yet witty social commentary. Vowell is hilarious as she rails on about Tom Cruise and presidential libraries, injecting fascinating pieces of history while simultaneously entertaining the reader thoroughly. That being said, if you’re conservative politically (or supported George W. Bush), I’d shy away from not just this book, but all of Vowell’s works.

I listened to The Partly Cloudy Patriot on audio, and it ran just over 5 hours and was unabridged. Sarah Vowell does her own narration (along with a surprisingly star-studded cast, including Stephen Colbert and Conan O’Brien), and she is simply marvelous. I have maintained that audio is the best method through which to consume Vowell’s works, and that holds true for this book as well. While her voice does take a bit of getting used to at the beginning, the sarcasm and wit that comes through in her voice is priceless.

Having finished The Partly Cloudy Patriot, I have read all of Vowell’s backlist available on audio, and it makes me sad. She is so funny and so very talented, I absolutely love listening to her audiobooks and having the chance to learn something while laughing out loud. Though her newer books haven’t been quite as entertaining as The Partly Cloudy Patriot and Assassination Vacation, I still look forward to seeing what subject she tackles next.

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Book Review: Blind Submission - Debra Ginsberg

2012-01-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Blind Submission
Author: Debra Ginsberg
ISBN: 9780307346384
Pages: 352
Release Date: September 25, 2007
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Genre: Chick Lit
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Angel Robinson is in a bind. The beloved bookstore where she works as a bookseller is closing, leaving her without a job. But when Angel’s boyfriend hands her an ad for a publicity assistant to the acclaimed literary agent Lucy Fiamma, she decides to give it a try. She finds a horrible working environment, completely frazzled atmosphere, and a boss that is difficult-beyond-words, but she can’t help but love her job. That is, until Angel receives a strange anonymous submission that catches her eye, one whose story seems to mirror her life to a frightening degree.

Review:

Blind Submission is a book written for readers, especially those who have worked or want to work in the publishing industry. It’s a fun and smart satire about working in a literary agency, with Alice as the poor assistant that is dumped on by the (more than slightly) crazy Lucy Fiamma. While I did love the literary aspects of this novel, the relationship between Lucy and Alice, as well as Lucy’s antics, were a little too-Devil Wears Prada for me.

Ginsberg’s writing is sharp and completely on point. Additionally, she develops Alice well, which is good because Alice is basically the only sympathetic character in the book. Alice is witty and it’s entertaining to read her notes on the manuscripts she receives (excerpts of which are included in the novel). It shows (rather than tells) how good Alice is at analyzing manuscripts, as well as how perceptive of a reader she is.

The added twist of the mysterious submission is a great touch, as it gives Alice something to focus on other than her crumbling life. Blind Submission isn’t really a mystery overall, but the question of who the anonymous author of the manuscript is will keep the reader engaged in the story. It’s understandable why Alice is so freaked out by the story; after all, it is a thinly fictionalized version of her own life, complete with intimate details about her.

If you’re looking for a quick and light read that will keep you entertained, Blind Submission is a great choice. It’s not a meaty read that you can dissect, but it’s fun, and I’m sure anyone who’s actually worked in a literary agency will be highly amused by it.

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Book Review: Boozehound - Jason Wilson

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Boozehound: On the Trail of the Rare, the Obscure, and the Overrated in Spirits
Author: Jason Wilson
ISBN: 9781580082884
Pages: 240
Release Date: September 21, 2010
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Genre: Non-Fiction, Essays
Source: Amazon Vine
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

In this search for the rare and obscure in liquor, Jason Wilson tries to raise awareness about spirits. He travels near and far, commenting on the spirit culture (or lack thereof) in America.

Review:

Jason Wilson’s book has just one goal: to raise the awareness of liquors and spirits in the United States. In a culture that seems to worship at the altar of the Cosmopolitan and Appletini, Wilson’s message is simple: there is something better out there. As an avid fan of craft beer, I don’t usually have much time or an inclination to drink too many cocktails, but I’m always interested in reading about culture, so I thought this book might be interesting.

Boozehound is many things in one: a travelogue, a lesson, a social commentary, and a a feast for the senses. Wilson writes in an engaging manner as he travels around the world seeking out rare spirits. Along the way, he tells the reader the history and evolution of the particular liquor. It’s a great structure, and serves to keep the reader entertained while also teaching them something. At the end of each chapter, the book also has drink recipes. They certainly look interesting, and I enjoyed browsing through them, but I highly doubt I will ever make any of them. The ingredients are often obscure, and I don’t fancy spending that much money on making a cocktail.

Wilson doesn’t hide his disdain for certain fads in the liquor market. The one he focuses on the most in Boozehound is that of flavored vodkas. I found myself chuckling out loud as he railed on against this phenomenon. He makes some very good points about their ridiculousness (and about vodka in general). It’s clear Wilson seeks out genuine spirits with a history behind them, so it’s very interesting to see what he chooses and why.

Though I’m not a big cocktail drinker (and won’t be one, even after reading this book), I did enjoy Boozehound. It’s always interesting to read about the nuances of a different culture, and I enjoyed Wilson’s enthusiasm for spirits. If you have a liquor lover in your life, this book would make an excellent gift.

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The World We Found Discussion - Other Topics

2012-01-26T20:00:00.000-05:00

The World We Found by Thrity Umrigar deals with many timely topics, some of which I haven’t covered in our discussions so far. This is a catch-all post to discuss those issues, as well as whatever might be lingering on your mind about the book. Feel free to answer any, or all, of the questions in the comments, or share your own thoughts on things we haven’t talked about.

Kavita is a lesbian, but has hidden her sexual identity from those closest to her because her country’s views on homosexuality are harsh. Why does Kavita believe her personal struggle is less important than the socialist causes she used to protest for?
Iqbal is perhaps the most complicated character in the book. It’s true he’s been through horrors, but do they justify what he’s done to the women in his life? What were your feelings on him?
“In the end, what matters is what remains.” This is a lingering theme in the book - what does it mean to you?
Why did Thrity Umrigar choose to end the book where she did - on the flight to see Armaiti, rather than her death? Did Umrigar want to keep their friendship alive for the reader, through the end of the book and beyond?

Please feel free to answer any or all of these questions in your comments, as well as expound on your thoughts about the book as a whole. If you’re new to this readalong and would like more information or to see the rest of the discussion posts, please visit my landing page for The World We Found discussion.

Thanks for participating, and I hope you’ve enjoyed yourselves!

Book Review: If Jack’s In Love - Stephen Wetta

2012-01-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: If Jack’s In Love
Author: Stephen Wetta
ISBN: 9780399157523
Pages: 368
Release Date: September 29, 2011
Publisher: Putnam/Amy Einhorn Books
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

The year is 1967 and Jack Witcher is twelve years old. His family is the one in the neighborhood that everyone gossips about and avoids. His father is an alcoholic who can’t seem to hold a job, while Jack’s brother, Stan, is a bully with no conscience. Jack is in love with Myra, but she won’t acknowledge him, and it doesn’t help that Stan goes after Myra’s brother at every turn. Jack makes friends with Mr. Gladstein, the Jewish man that owns the jewelry shop, and they work together to win Myra’s heart for Jack.

Review:s

If Jack’s in Love is a portrait of small town American in 1967. Jack enjoys freedoms that most children today only dream of - he spends time on his own, unsupervised, away from home. He plays in the woods behind his house, dreaming about the girl he loves. It seems like such a simple, idealistic existence, that is, until the reader considers Jack’s family. Jack’s father and brother are very alike. They are terrifying, and Jack lives in fear of upsetting or disappointing them. They throw a wrench into Jack’s desires and underline his fears.

Wetta captures Jack beautifully in If Jack’s in Love. His angst, his confusion at being on the cusp of manhood - he is a pre-teen portrayed incredibly realistically. He is genuine, and his words come from the heart. Readers will fall in love with Jack, and hope that he will find some happiness; their hearts will ache for him as he endures taunts at the hands of his father and brother. Jack yearns for a different life, one in which he and Myra can be openly in love; it seems like such a simple thing, yet for Jack, it is immensely complicated.

This is a novel that really defies traditional genres. It’s about a twelve-year-old, yet in no way is this a middle grade novel, aimed at younger readers. Though Jack is still a child, the depth and character in his voice will appeal to adults. If Jack’s in Love has been billed as a murder mystery, but even that doesn’t really truly characterize this complicated novel. That does play into the book, yes, but it’s not in any way what the book is about. At its core, this book is about Jack’s coming of age, his realizations about what adulthood really means.

This was a charming and funny novel that captures small town life perfectly. Every neighborhood had a family like the Witchers, and everyone will see something of themselves in Jack. It’s a novel with broad appeal and is thoroughly enjoyable. I look forward to seeing what Stephen Wetta does next.

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Book Review: Affairs of Steak - Julie Hyzy

2012-01-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Affairs of Steak
Author: Julie Hyzy
ISBN: 9780425245835
Pages: 304
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Source: Publicist
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

White House Chef Ollie Paras is back, and this time, her life is in danger. After discovering the body of the First Lady’s Chief of Staff, Ollie finds herself once again in the middle of a murder investigation. To make things worse, Peter Sargeant, the White House Sensitivity Director with whom Ollie does not see eye to eye, was with her when she discovered the body, and now they must work together to figure out who wants them dead and why.

Review:

In the fifth installment of the White House Chef mysteries (after Buffalo West Wing), Ollie Paras is back and dealing with a whole new set of challenges. The new murder has thrown Ollie for a loop, and while she does do her best to stay out of it, she can’t help but exercise her natural curiosity and ask questions of those around her. The involvement of Sargeant makes the matter even more complicated. He’s done nothing but make Ollie’s life at the White House miserable, yet she goes out of her way to help him more than once. It shows her integrity, and I’m really looking forward to seeing if a friendship might develop between these two in future installments.

Ollie is a great character, as ever, and Hyzy manages to develop her even more in Affairs of Steak. This is quite a feat, considering this is the fifth book in the series. Her love life begins to move in a new (though not unexpected) direction. The reader is allowed more into Ollie’s personal life, as the bulk of the novel takes place outside Ollie’s White House kitchen. This may disappoint some readers, as it doesn’t involve nearly as much food as previous books in the series, but I found this change refreshing. It’s important to keep series novels fresh and differentiate them from one another, and Julie Hyzy does that very well in her White House Chef series.

A gripping plot, a wonderful main character, and a glorious setting - what more could a reader want from a novel? This entire series is a delight, and if you haven’t given it a chance, I highly recommend you pick up the first book, State of the Onion. If you’re a fan of the series, don’t hesitate to pick up Affairs of Steak; you’ll be thrilled to find it holds its own against the rest of the books in the series.

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Wordless Wednesday - New Zealand Edition

2012-01-25T04:00:00.000-05:00

Waterfall at Milford Sound, New Zealand