Library Queue

The Secret Keeper

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 04:24:00 +0000

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

On the library stacks: Adult fiction
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There were quite a few twists and turns as I read this book. Plus, it has been so long since I read it, I really couldn't keep it all straight to give a plot summary anyway. So here's the official one:

During a party at the family farm in the English countryside, sixteen-year-old Laurel Nicolson has escaped to her childhood tree house and is dreaming of the future. She spies a stranger coming up the road and sees her mother speak to him. Before the afternoon is over, Laurel will witness a shocking crime that challenges everything she knows about her family and especially her mother, Dorothy. Now, fifty years later, Laurel is a successful and well-regarded actress, living in London. She returns to the family farm for Dorothy's ninetieth birthday and finds herself overwhelmed by questions she has not thought about for decades. From pre-WWII England through the Blitz, to the fifties and beyond, discover the secret history of three strangers from vastly different worlds--Dorothy, Vivien, and Jimmy--who meet by chance in wartime London and whose lives are forever entwined.

This was a book club read and we all really liked it. I was able to guess the final twist but I really enjoyed the journey. I really love books that vacillate between time periods, and I enjoyed the different voices in this novel. This was my first Kate Morton and I am looking forward to reading The Forgotten Garden next.

Also reviewed by: Girl Who Loves to Read ~ Gerbera Daisy Diaries ~ A Reader's Journal ~ The Bluestocking Society ~ Books, Belles, and Beaux ~ The Eclectic Reader ~ A Bookworm's World ~ Your link here?
Source: Kindle Purchase

Full Moon Over Madeline Island

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 03:46:00 +0000

Full Moon Over Madeline Island by Jay Gilbertson

Publication date: November 20, 2012
Pages: 256
Series: #3 of 3 (Madeline Island)
Click here to purchase!

Disclaimer: Although I have, unfortunately, never met him, I am indirectly related to the author.

I am totally ignorant when it comes to the Midwest, so reading this novel was quite a delightful experience for me. Set in Wisconsin, on an island located in Lake Superior (who knew!) this book will certainly appeal to the chick lit audience.

Eve and Ruby live on Madeline Island year-round with a crew of close friends nearby. Together, they run a shop making custom aprons and in this novel they open a safe home for pregnant mothers. There is a fantastic cast of supporting characters and I enjoyed all their quirky characteristics and wacky adventures. They even own a Duck!

While this is the third book in the series, I didn't feel like I was too out of the loop having not read the previous two. I think it would be a blast to live with Eve and Ruby and I really enjoyed the time I spent on the island with them.

Source: I was graciously provided a copy by the author.

Carry On, Warrior - TLC Book Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:50:00 +0000

Carry On, Warrior: Thoughts on Life Unarmed by Glennon Melton

Publisher: Scribner
Publication date: April 2, 2013
Hardcover: 288 pages
Price: $25.00

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Perhaps like many of you, I read Glennon's essay in the Huffington Post as it made the rounds through Facebook last year. I felt like she was writing things I have thought in a way that I wish I had 1/100th of her talent to express.

I am delighted to be on this book tour. The book combines many of her essays from her blog with a few new items so that the book flows and carries some important threads throughout.

I really loved this book. Not because I agreed with everything she said, because I didn't. But she is refreshingly honest and true to herself and her readers. She made me think about how I view myself and others, and especially about my relationships with my family. And while a lot of the book is pretty serious, there are some essays that had me laughing so hard I couldn't wait to share them with my husband. And then we laughed together some more.

Connect with Glennon at Momastery.com or on the Momastery Facebook page.
Check out the other great reviews on this tour!

Source: I received this book from the publisher as part of the TLC Book Tour.

Edenbrooke

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 22:28:00 +0000

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

On the library stacks: Adult fiction
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I really didn't know very much about this book before I read it. I just knew that people whose book tastes are similar to mine raved about it and that was good enough for me. It's a Regency romance akin to Georgette Heyer, but with a little more modern feel.

While I won't share any of the storyline, this book is just absolutely delightful. It makes me happy just to think about it. If you are a sucker for a clean romance, this is your book. You may have to purchase it, but it's worth it.

Also reviewed by: Bloggin' 'bout Books ~ I Am A Reader, Not a Writer ~ It's All About Books ~ Girl Who Loves to Read ~ Gerbera Daisy Diaries ~ The Bluestocking Society ~ Books, Belles, and Beaux ~ Good Clean Reads ~ Your link here?
Source: Gift

The Only True Genius in the Family

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 22:07:00 +0000

The Only True Genius in the Family by Jennie Nash

On the library stacks: Adult fiction
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Claire is a middle-aged woman who is a food photographer. Her father is a legendary landscape photographer and he has just passed away, causing her deal with a lot of things in her past that she would rather not. As a result, her own career hits some major stumbling blocks.

Meanwhile, Claire's daughter is graduating from art school where she has been enjoyed fantastic success as a painter. Claire is jealous of her daughter, even while feeling very proud of everything she has accomplished.

This is a book about family relationships and how we identify ourselves within the various familial roles and responsibilities we have. I wanted to like Claire, but when she tossed her camera into the ocean, I lost a lot of respect for her. In the end, I really liked Claire's husband the best.

This is a good book to spend a rainy afternoon with. It was a nice change of pace from what I have been reading lately. It would also make a good book club discussion.

Also reviewed by: At Home With Books ~ Your link here?
Source: Purchased

Elegy for Eddie - TLC Book Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 04:30:00 +0000

Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear

On the library stacks: Adult Mystery Fiction
Awards: Agatha Award Nominee for Best Historical Novel (2012)
Series: Maisie Dobbs #9

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

From the back cover:

Early April 1933. To the costermongers of Covent Garden—sellers of fruits and vegetables on the London streets—Eddie Pettit was a gentle soul with a near-magical gift for working with horses. So who would want to kill him . . . and why?

Maisie Dobbs's father, Frankie, had been a costermonger, and she remembers Eddie fondly. But it soon becomes clear that powerful political and financial forces are determined to prevent her from learning the truth behind Eddie's death. Maisie's search for answers on the working-class streets of Lambeth leads her to unexpected places and people: to a callous press baron; to a has been politician named Winston Churchill; and, most surprisingly, to Douglas Partridge, the husband of her dearest friend, Priscilla. As Maisie uncovers lies and manipulation on a national scale, she must decide whether to risk everything to see justice done.

I adore Maisie Dobbs. Even though this particular installment wasn't my favorite (and I really don't recommend starting in the middle) I still love this series.

Winspear is really adept and incorporating historical elements into her novels. Where this book fell a little short for me is that it seemed like a transition novel for Maisie personally and so the mystery element was not as satisfying. However, when you have a series that has been going on as long as this one, it's to be expected. By the way, I am a huge fan of these new book covers.

I am anxiously looking forward to reading the next installment that just came out this week. For more information on her new novel, Leaving Everything Most Loved, check out Winspear's website and Facebook page. You can also check out her discussion on Blog Talk Radio from earlier this week.

Also reviewed by: Axe for the Frozen Sea ~ Bermudaonion's Weblog ~ A Work in Progress ~ Thoughts of Joy ~ Your link here?

Source: I received this book from the publisher as part of the TLC Book Tour.

Rebecca

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:31:00 +0000

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

On the library stacks: YA Classic/Adult Fiction
AR Reading Level: 6.8
Award: National Book Award

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don't reread books very often. The last time I read this novel I was in high school. I loved it then, and I am happy to say that this book definitely stood the test of time for me.

Our nameless narrator is a traveling companion to an old American woman in Monte Carlo when she meets the handsome owner of Manderley, Maxim de Winter. Maxim's wife, Rebecca, died tragically a year before and Maxim just hasn't been the same. When No-Name says she is leaving for America, Max proposes and after a quick wedding and honeymoon, they return to his estate in Southern England.

Poor young and fragile No-Name is thrust into a life she has never known. She has power to direct the affairs of an entire estate, must make social calls and deal with Maxim's family, and pervading everything is the ghost of Rebecca. She is everywhere. It's her house, her servants, her beach, her dogs. Everyone loved her and No-Name can never match up. She's not even sure if her husband will ever love her like he loved Rebecca.

For me the power of this book lies in the rich descriptive writing. I can imagine everything down to the minute details. I feel No-Name's anguish as I walk with her through the beautiful house, exploring the grounds. I hate manipulating Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper, in spite of No-Name's spinelessness. And I love the mystery element too. I can't recommend this one highly enough.

Also reviewed by: The Bluestocking Society ~ Book Nut ~ Good Clean Reads ~ The Boston Bibliophile ~ Your link here?
Source: Purchased

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:07:00 +0000

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

On the library stacks: Children's Fiction
AR Reading Level: 7.0
Series: Book 1 of 14 (Oz)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I think most people reading this blog are probably pretty familiar with the story of The Wizard of Oz. I'm ashamed to say I never read it as a child, even though I watched the movie a zillion times. In a weird twist of fate, I have never shown my children the movie (burnout maybe?) but at least one of them has read the book.

Honestly, the most upsetting thing about reading this book was finding out that Baum wrote that Dorothy's slippers were silver, not ruby. I really can't get over that. Ruby slippers make Dorothy's ensemble complete.

This book is certainly imaginative and I like the message that the power to change our lives already rests within our control. The tin man and his back story were my favorite parts of the novel. I did find it simplistic and plodding at times though. I'm glad I read it, but this book won't be a lasting favorite.

Also reviewed by: Capricious Reader ~ Puss Reboots ~ Rebecca Reads ~ The Book Nest ~ Your link here?
Source: Free Kindle download

Girl at Sea

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 05:30:00 +0000

Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson

On the library stacks: YA Fiction
AR Reading Level: 4.4

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I really liked the Scarlett series and the Little Blue Envelope series. This is my first try at one of Johnson's stand-alone novels, and I was really disappointed.

Clio is a 17-year old who is really annoyed she has to spend the summer on a yacht off the coast of Italy with her dad. Instead, she wishes she was working in the art store in Philadelphia with her latest crush. Clio can't believe that her dad has brought his girlfriend and her daughter along, but at least nerdy Aidan is something cute to look at on the boat. Things get crazy when Clio realizes that they are on a real-life Dive! adventure, similar to the board game she and her dad created years ago.

This book was just too silly for me. I couldn't decide what I was supposed to take seriously...the divorce, the tattoo, the money problems, the girlfriend, the business partner's health issues, the kidnapping. None of it was believable and Clio just came off as bratty to me. It was only Aidan that kept me reading.

Also reviewed by: Book Nut ~ Your link here?
Source: Purchased

If I Stay

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 20:08:00 +0000

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

On the library stacks: YA Fiction
AR Reading Level: 5.3
Series: Book 1 of 2 (If I Stay)

Awards: Publishers Weekly Best Book, An ALA/YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, South Carolina Book Award Nominee for Young Adult Book Award, Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award Nominee, TAYSHAS High School Reading List, Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction, ALA Teens' Top Ten, Milwaukee County Teen Book Award Nominee, Florida Teens Read Nominee, Delaware Blue Hen Award, Abraham Lincoln Award Nominee, NAIBA Book of the Year for Children's Literature

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Between all the awards and all the reviews, you can see I am definitely late hopping on this bandwagon. I heard so much about this book before I read it, I wasn't sure if I would like it. But I surprised myself by really enjoying it. I actually read it in a day.

Publisher's blurb:

In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make.

I didn't cry like I thought I would, but I did feel very wrapped up in the story. I will definitely read the next in the series.

Also reviewed by: Capricious Reader ~ The Bluestocking Society ~ Literary Grand Rounds ~ The Book Nest ~ At Home With Books ~ Savvy Verse & Wit ~ My Own Little Corner of the World ~ It's All About Books ~ So Many Books, So Little Time ~ Alison McCarty
Source: Purchased

The Secrets of Happy Families - TLC Book Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:16:00 +0000

The Secrets of Happy Families: Surprising New Ideas to Bring More Togetherness, Less Chaos, and Greater Joy by Bruce Feiler

Publisher: William Morrow
Publication date: February 19, 2013
Hardcover: 292 pages
Price: $25.99

While I don't read parenting books often, every once in awhile it's nice to get a fresh perspective. My four kids are all in school and between them, we are involved in lots of extracurricular activities after school. Sometimes I feel like my entire life is scripted for me, just based on the carpool scheduling.

For this tour we were asked to implement one of Feiler's suggestions in our family. So for the last couple of weeks, we have been conducting a Sunday night family meeting. The first week we did it more to organize schedules. We have been having trouble finding time that all six of us could sit down for a few minutes to have our daily scripture reading. It just wasn't working for us to have it at the same time every day, because someone was always missing. We worked together to find a time every day that we would all be there and put it as a priority in our calendars.

The second week we took the meeting a step further. I asked three questions:
1. What things went well for our family this week? (Everyone said scripture study! We felt more calm and everyone got along better.)
2. What things could we improve in our family? (This mostly had to do with keeping play areas tidy.)
3. What things will you commit to working on this week? (Feiler suggests choosing two things.)

The meeting was short, simple and upbeat. The family meeting is based on the business idea of agile development. We meet together to make ourselves accountable and to encourage continual incremental improvements in our family. I have noticed that I feel much more in control of the family happenings these past few weeks. So far, it's working for us!

This book has great ideas for strengthening marriages and family life from nontraditional sources. Want to know how to have better game time? Feiler visited the folks at Zynga. Want to know how to set children's allowances? Find out what Warren Buffett did.

I highly recommend this book.

Bruce Feiler is the author of five bestsellers. He writes a family life column for the New York Times. To learn more about him, you can visit Feiler's website, Facebook page, and Twitter account.

Check out the other great reviews on this tour!

Source: I received this book from the publisher as part of the TLC Book Tour.

Someone Knows My Name

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill

On the library stacks: Adult fiction
Awards: Myers Outstanding Book Award, Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best Book Overall, Scotiabank Giller Prize Nominee, Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction, CBC Canada Reads

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The breadth of this novel is so huge, even sitting down to write a review is a daunting task. My book club read this in January and there was plenty to discuss.

Aminata Diallo is a young girl in Africa when she is stolen by the slave traders and forced into slavery. She is brought to South Carolina and eventually escapes in New York City. After serving the British during the American Revolution she is granted freedom in Nova Scotia. When living conditions there worsen, she travels back to Sierra Leone. She finishes her life in London where her life and testimony support the abolitionist movement.

I loved this book for opening my eyes to many more facets of slavery than I have really allowed myself to consider before. It's real and it's heartbreaking. But somehow Aminata is inspiring and I never really found the book particularly depressing, even though it could have been.

The book came short of 5 stars for me because the last 150 pages really glossed over the last part of her life. For giving us so much detail in the beginning, I felt a little short-changed. But I felt the author did a fantastic job writing the book from a female perspective and I appreciated his attention to historical details. If you do read this book, I suggest reading the author's note at the back first. I was glad I did.

Also reviewed by: My Book Retreat ~ Gerbera Daisy Diaries ~ Thoughts of Joy ~ Your link here?
Source: Library

The Sparrow

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:05:00 +0000

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

On the library stacks: Adult fiction
Awards: Arthur C. Clarke Award for Best Novel, Kurd-Laßwitz-Preis for Foreign Novel British Science Fiction Association Award for Novel, John W. Campbell Memorial Award Nominee for Best Science Fiction Novel, James Tiptree Jr. Award, Puddly Award for Science Fiction
Series: Book 1 of 2

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In 2008, I read Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell and loved it. I have been anxious to read this book, which is most acclaimed of all her work. However, I heard a few rumors about this book that put me off. It's not an easy book to read, but definitely worth it. I feel like my mind was stretched in all directions!

I am definitely impressed by the diversity and talent of this author. Dreamers of the Day is historical fiction and this book is science fiction. Set in the future, a team of scientists, funded by the Jesuits, take an asteroid to a distant planet light years away. They make amazing discoveries and endure unimaginable horrors.

I have heard that AMC has just optioned this book and its successor, Children of God, as a television series. I plan on reading the next book for sure. But for now I need to let this one rest in my mind. It's really a philosophical novel at its core, and one I won't soon forget.

Also reviewed by: Avid Reader's Musings ~ It's All About Books ~ My Friend Amy ~ Alison McCarty ~ 1morechapter ~ Your link here?
Source: Purchased

Cold Sassy Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 03:41:00 +0000

Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns

On the library shelves: Adult fiction
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

14-year old Will Tweedy is the narrator of this Southern novel set in Georgia in the early 1900s. After the passing of Will's grandmother, his grandfather, Rucker Blakeslee, shocks their small town of Cold Sassy by running off and marrying the milliner in his store. Ms. Love Simpson (a Yankee!) is liked well enough, but she is young enough to be Mr. Blakeslee's daughter.

Added into that familial stress, Will is nearly run over by a train, is caught kissing a girl from the mill in the cemetery, and goes on a camping trip with the boys where he tells a few tall tales. And the whole town is abuzz when Will's father drives into town with a brand new automobile.

This is a lovely book and I enjoyed my time in Cold Sassy. It wasn't a quick read for me, but Will is a very likeable character and I was rooting for him the whole way. Even though there are some periods of silliness in this book, there are also some hard-hitting issues to think about including suicide, racism and religion. It's a well thought out novel that I found rewarding to read. Definitely recommended for fans of Southern literature.

Also reviewed by: Book Nut ~ Your link here?
Source: Purchased

2012 in Review

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 02:47:00 +0000

Total Books Read: 60 (That's 22 less than last year and 53 less than the year before. Wow.)

One thing I did this year was try to clear my TBR shelf of books that had been there since 2008. There were quite a few DNF, but I chose not to record those. I got through 24 of the 28 books. In 2013, my goal is to finish the final four from 2008 and read 18 books on my TBR from 2009.

My top 10 favorite were:

Ratings
5 star: 8
4 star: 33
3 star: 14
2 star: 4
Unrated: 1 (just couldn't rate Code Name Verity)

Of the books I read:
Books I purchased: 18
Free downloads: 3
Books from publishers/publicists: 0 (big change for me)
Books that were gifts: 3
Books from the library: 23 (big increase from last year)
Books from BookMooch: 10
Books I borrowed: 3

Books I read electronically: 8
Audiobooks: 4
Nonfiction: 10

Adult books: 37
YA books:19
Middle grade/Children's: 4

Here is a list of my 2012 reads:

The Homecoming of Samuel Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 02:21:00 +0000

The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield

On the library stacks: Adult fiction
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Publisher's blurb:

Every first Sunday in June, members of the Moses clan gather for an annual reunion at a sprawling hundred-acre farm in Arkansas. And every year, Samuel Lake, a vibrant and committed young preacher, brings his beloved wife, Willadee Moses, and their three children back for the festivities. In the midst of it all, Samuel and Willadee’s outspoken eleven-year-old daughter, Swan, is a bright light. Her high spirits and fearlessness have alternately seduced and bedeviled three generations of the family. But just as the reunion is getting under way, tragedy strikes, jolting the family to their core and setting the stage for a summer of crisis and profound change.

I really enjoyed this beautiful novel. The characters are complex and full of contradiction. Sometimes character-driven novels languish a little for me, but this one has a nice plot that breezes right through a summer in the 1950s.

This book is a really emotional read. I was totally invested in this family, from spunky Swan Lake, her righteous father, her conflicted grandmother and the variety of aunts, uncles and cousins in between. The one thing I had a hard time with was the bad guy. He is really, really BAD. You hate him like you are supposed to, but I started to dread when he would show up.

This would make a great choice for book clubs. You can read the first chapter here.

Also reviewed by: In the Pages... ~ Bloggin' 'bout Books ~ Reviews by Lola's Blog ~ Prairie Horizons ~ The Eclectic Reader ~ Gerbera Daisy Diaries ~ Your link here?
Source: Purchased

Ex Libris

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman

On the library stacks: Adult Non-fiction
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

This book is a collection of 18 essays written by Anne Fadiman for Civilization magazine. While she claims she is a "common reader," I definitely take issue with that assessment. I read more than the average bear, but Fadiman takes reading to a whole new level.

The book started out strong and I loved her essay on how she and her husband merged their libraries after years of marriage (ours still isn't--we each have our own shelves). The middle dragged a little but it finished strong. Standouts for me were the essays on plagiarism and proofreading.

This is a great little book to read in snatches here and there. I did find Fadiman's tone a little pretentious at times, but her prose is fantastic and her knowledge is inspiring.

Also reviewed by: The Book Nest ~ It's All About Books
Source: Library

The Honest Truth About Dishonesty

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 05:00:00 +0000

The Honest Truth About Dishonesty: How We Lie to Everyone--Especially Ourselves by Dan Ariely

On the library shelves: Adult Non-fiction
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I became a fan of Dan Ariely when I read Predictably Irrational three years ago. He is a behavioral economist, now at Duke, with a great business sense. In this book, he looks at dishonesty and how it affects ourselves, our communities and our workplaces.

Dan structures the book by discussing some experiments he has conducted and what they have demonstrated about how we make choices. Essentially, we don't choose to be dishonest based on a simple cost/benefit analysis. Instead, there are a number of factors that influence our decision to be honest including religious reminders, what others around us are choosing and how much we feel we can get away with that is "reasonable." After each discussion he gives an real-world example and then gives some ideas about how we can structure our lives to be more honest individuals.

My book club read this one in November. It is incredibly readable and makes for a great discussion. We loved discussing Ariely's various experiments and each of us had some interesting take-aways.

Source: Library

Baking Cakes in Kigali

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Baking Cakes in Kigali: A Novel by Gaile Parkin

On the library stacks: Adult fiction
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Angel Tungaraza lives in the Rwandan city of Kigali with her husband and five grandchildren. Originally from Tanzania, the family lives in an apartment complex full of expats. Angel's husband works for the university, but others in the complex work for the UN, CIA, as volunteer aids, etc. Angel runs a business making cakes and becomes the focal point for the complex when people come to order cakes and end up sharing their joyful and heartbreaking stories.

The thing that I love about this book is that it takes some pretty hefty issues--AIDS, the Rwandan genocide, famine, suicide and prostitution--and combines them all into a story that is astonishingly upbeat and full of hope. There are some really funny parts and some really eye-opening and poignant parts to this novel. I liked how I was able to look at some issues in a new way.

Probably my only gripe about this book is that Angel is very reminiscent of Precious Ramotswe from "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency." Certainly if you like those books, you will like this one. But the similarities did bother me a little. Having said that, I really enjoyed this and would heartily recommend it.

Also reviewed by: The Book Nest ~ Your link here?
Source: Library Kindle Download

On Strike for Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 05:00:00 +0000

On Strike for Christmas by Sheila Roberts

On the library stacks: Adult fiction
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Joy and Laura are part of a neighborhood knitting club. After Thanksgiving they are totally fed up with how their husbands act during the holidays. Joy feels like her husband doesn't appreciate everything she does to make the holidays special and is a grinch when it comes to her family gatherings. Laura's husband loves to throw parties but never helps out with all the work it takes to prepare or clean up. Together they convince the women of their town to go on strike.

Joy's husband reacts by doing only the bare minimum to keep the holiday spirit alive. Laura's husband tries really hard to do everything, with pretty funny consequences. Balancing it all out are a few women in the knitting group who would give anything to have Joy's and Laura's problems--one recently widowed and the other with cancer. Sometimes it gets a little cheesy, but I don't really expect anything less from a feel-good Christmas book.

This was my book club's pick for December and it is the perfect holiday read. It helps keep the busy-ness of the season in perspective, but it is also light and humorous. It's a quick read that I'd recommend if you get a few hours on a snowy afternoon.

This book was made into a Lifetime movie and is currently playing.

Source: Library

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 03:02:00 +0000

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

On the library stacks: Children's fiction and YA Classics
AR Reading Level: 11.0

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My son and I read this out loud to each other during Halloween. I had never read it before and found it to be quite delightful. We bought a version with a lot of illustrations and my son really enjoyed it.

I knew this book involved Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman, but what I didn't realize is that there is a love story of sorts involved. Ichabod, a school teacher in town, tries desperately to win the hand of a wealthy farmer's daughter, Katrina Van Tassel. Unfortunately for him, the match is not to be.

This book, first published in 1820, has very difficult vocabulary words for kids. I found I had to concentrate quite hard when my son was reading and every once in awhile we had to stop and summarize what was going on. Having a Kindle version we could use to quickly access the dictionary was very helpful. This is a great children's book for advanced readers.

Source: Kindle purchase

The Reluctant Bachelorette

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 04:12:00 +0000

The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Renee Anderson

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Taycee Emerson lives in small farming town that's struggling to stay afloat. She's lived there all her life and, despite the fact that the rest of her family has moved away, she loves living there and owns her own flower shop.

Taycee's relatively uncomplicated life gets much more interesting when her former crush moves back into town. It gets even crazier when her best friend signs her up to be on an internet dating show without her knowledge, and the said former crush gets cast as one of her "bachelors."

This book is just good, clean fun. It's cute and predictable, but I felt invested in the story and read it really quickly. It's nice to read a romance without worrying about any kind of graphic content. I needed a change in reading pace and this really did it for me. It's a non-stressful, relaxing read that I finished with a smile on my face.

(If I could change one thing though, it would definitely be the main character's name.)

Also reviewed by: I Am a Reader, Not a Writer - Blog Tour
Source: Kindle Purchase

The Magician's Assistant

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 05:07:00 +0000

The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett

On the library stacks: Adult fiction
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Sabine has been a magician's assistant for over twenty years. She fell hard for Parsifal the magician, even when it was clear he was gay. But she stood by him and loved him through everything, including the death of Parsifal's lover. Eventually Parsifal marries Sabine so that she will inherit everything upon his death. When he dies unexpectedly Sabine finds out that Parsifal has lied to her about his whole past and upbringing.

Sabine is shocked to find out Parsifal's real name is Guy Fetters. His mother is alive and well and lives in Nebraska along with his two sisters and two nephews. When Parsifal's mother comes to Los Angeles to visit, Sabine is confused but desperate to find out who the real Parsifal is and why he has hidden his past. To complete her emotional journey, she visits the family in Nebraska.

I'm starting to thing that Ann Patchett's endings and I do not get along. Still, I thought this was a really beautifully written novel. I was emotionally invested in the story, right up until the last 30 pages or so when it really fell apart for me. The direction Patchett took the story did not ring true to the Sabine I felt I had come to know, which really made me question everything. I have continued to mull this story over though, so it definitely had an impact on me, even if it's not as positive as I would have liked.

Also reviewed by: Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'? ~ Your link here?
Source: Purchased

A Discovery of Witches

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 05:24:00 +0000

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

On the library stacks: Adult Fiction
AR Reading Level: 5.7
Series: Book 1 of 3 (All Souls Trilogy)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Diana Bishop is a modern-day witch, doing work in the Bodleian Library at Oxford. She usually tries to suppress her powers because she doesn't want them to influence her work as a historian of science. But one day she uses a little magic to reach a book and a vampire spots her.

Matthew Clairmont is a 1,500 year old vampire who thinks Diana may hold the key to a secret all witches, daemons, and vampires are trying to discover. Together they try to figure it all out while trying to stay safe from dark forces that wish them harm. And, of course, they fall in love along the way.

This book is a mix of Harry Potter and Twilight for grownups. It's a large book, but a quick read. I thought Diana was a pretty bland character and I didn't really like Matthew much better. But I really loved all the sides characters--the family and friends of the duo. While I really did enjoy my time reading, it was pretty easy for me to pick apart the book when I finished it, and my book club felt the same. As such, I won't be finishing the series.

Also reviewed by: Peeking Between the Pages ~ Axe for the frozen sea ~ Book Addiction ~ Beth Fish Reads ~ Book Nut ~ Booking Mama ~ Bermudaonion's Weblog ~ Linus's Blanket ~ Capricious Reader
Source: Library

Crow Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Tricia) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 19:41:00 +0000

Crow Lake by Mary Lawson

On the library stacks: Adult fiction
AR Reading Level: 5.5
Award: Alex Award for Adult Books for Young Adults

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This gorgeous novel is set in a small farming community in northern Canada. Kate is just 7 when her parents are killed in a car accident. Her two older brothers make it possible for the family to stay together, including raising baby Bo. Her oldest brother sacrifices his teaching career so that Kate's favorite brother Matt can go to college. But a twist of fate leaves Matt in their small town for good.

Kate tells the story of the family, alternating between past and present. She is now a successful zoologist, struggling in her romantic relationship with a fellow professor. A trip homes brings all of her feelings to the surface, especially those regarding her disappointments in Matt.

I really enjoyed this novel. It's rich and atmospheric and so well written. I loved getting into the guts of the characters--their motivations, choices, and psychology. While it's mainly a character-driven novel, the plot certainly moved along enough for me that I didn't want to put the book down. Although I didn't read it for mine, I think it would make a fantastic book club choice.

Also reviewed by: In the Pages... ~ Your link here?
Source: BookMooch