Brimful Bookshelves

The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore

I first looked into this book because of the similarities between the stories with Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan. But as I read more about this, I found that it was really quite different--a true story, for one, written by the person who found himself in the situation, and it focuses on that one man and the question of "What if that had been me?"

Hellhound on his Trail: The Stalking of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Hampton Sides
I've studied Martin Luther King, Jr. in school more times than I can count. However, we've never learned much about his death or the repercussions it had. It's really surprising, actually, that I've never even learned who killed him--and this book seems like a fascinating look into it.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
This book looks into the story of a Chinese girl who immigrates from Hong Kong to New York and starts working there. Interestingly, the author was put in the same situation as a girl which I'm sure will add to the authenticity.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

What are you excited for this week?

Book Review: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

2010-04-27T08:00:00.000-04:00

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Age Group: Adult

Genre: Literary Fiction

Length: 560 pages

Rating:

Marion and Shiva Stone are twin brothers born of a secret union between a beautiful Indian nun and a brash British surgeon at a mission hospital in Addis Ababa. Orphaned by their mother’s death in childbirth and their father’s disappearance, bound together by a preternatural connection and a shared fascination with medicine, the twins come of age as Ethiopia hovers on the brink of revolution. Yet it will be love, not politics—their passion for the same woman—that will tear them apart and force Marion, fresh out of medical school, to flee his homeland. He makes his way to America, finding refuge in his work as an intern at an underfunded, overcrowded New York City hospital. When the past catches up to him—nearly destroying him—Marion must entrust his life to the two men he thought he trusted least in the world: the surgeon father who abandoned him and the brother who betrayed him. (Goodreads)

Review: I've heard so many amazing things about this book that I was nervous to pick it up--I didn't feel like it could hold up to my expectations. And at first, that's what it seemed like it would happen as I read the book, because the first 100 pages or so were just good, not great. But once I got out of the backstory and into the pages that began to develop the main character, I fell in love.

Everything in this book was woven together perfectly, and as one thing led to another I never knew what was coming but it always made perfect sense. And everything had a purpose in the grand scheme of the book, whether to show how the characters evolve or to further advance the plot to the perfect conclusion.

I really connected with Marion, the main character. Reading about events from his point of view felt like how I would have experienced them, and by the end all I wanted was for him to a happy ending (finally).

The medicine involved in the book also made me want to learn more about the topics being discussed--it's hard to unravel truth from fiction in a story involving fictional characters, but as I did I learned a lot about topics I never would have thought to research on my own.

You should read this book if you have ever enjoyed any novel, because you will enjoy this one too. Every part of it, from characters to plot to setting are fantastic and work to make this book the incredible story it is.

Amazon****Barnes and Noble****Goodreads

Book Review: Princess Ben by Catherine Murdock

2010-04-25T10:00:00.000-04:00

Princess Ben by Catherine Murdock
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 344 pages
Rating:

Benevolence is not your typical princess- and Princess Ben is certainly not your typical fairy tale. With her parents lost to assassins, Princess Ben ends up under the thumb of the conniving Queen Sophia. Starved and miserable, locked in the castle's highest tower, Ben stumbles upon a mysterious enchanted room. So begins her secret education in the magical arts: mastering an obstinate flying broomstick, furtively emptying the castle pantries, setting her hair on fire.... But Ben's private adventures are soon overwhelmed by a mortal threat to her kingdom. Can Ben save the country and herself from foul tyranny?

Review: I was disappointed in this book. I love creative retellings of fairy tales (I adore Gail Carson Levine), so I was looking forward to reading this new version of Sleeping Beauty. And though I did enjoy the end of the book, there were a lot of issues with the first 3/4 or so.

The main issue I had was with the characters. For the first part of the book, she came across as whiny, spoiled, and unfriendly, which I think may have been done on purpose. However, it went a little too far and I found myself strongly disliking the character until she finally grew up at the end of the book. And once she did grow up, the book was much more enjoyable. I just wish that it had happened much earlier in the book. Her love interest, too, was unpleasant for almost the entire book until he finally admits his undying love for Ben. Wait, what?

The actual re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty was what I was looking for, though. It was interesting and quirky and clever, which are all important qualities in something like this. The minor characters all got personalities that seemed realistic, too, and I liked reading about them, particularly Queen Sophia, who's Ben detests but I rather liked.

Overall, this book had very good ideas but poor execution. I wouldn't recommend this book, but I'm open to something else by the author with more likable characters.

Amazon****Barnes and Noble****Goodreads

Book Blogger Hop (4)

2010-04-24T10:02:00.000-04:00

Time for the Book Blogger Hop! Head over to Crazy for Books to find more excellent book blogs or to join in, and feel free to comment here if that's where you're coming from.

New Releases: 4/17/10-4/23/10

2010-04-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

Here's what to look for in bookstores this week.

The Light by D.J. MacHale
I really enjoyed the Pendragon series by this author, and I'm super excited to see his take on a new and different cast of characters. This first installment in a new series draws inspiration from ghost stories.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

The Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander McCall Smith
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series is so much fun to read, and I'm sure this safari mystery story will be no different.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

Parrot and Olivier in America by Peter Carey
This is a historical fiction novel set during 1800's America about a Frenchman fleeing his country and his friend/servant (it's a little unclear). The author has won two Booker Prizes, so I'm sure this will be exceptionally well-written.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

God is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World and Why Their Differences Matter by Stephen R. Prothero
This book is all about the beliefs and questions of every major world religion, and the paths they take to solve the problems set forth by their faiths. I've always wanted to learn more about religion as a whole, and this seems perfect for that.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

Bounce by Matthew Syed
This book is similar in concept to Outliers, about the people who are the very best in their fields--Mozart, Picasso, Federer, and the other people who have risen to the top. The whole topic is incredibly interesting, and I can't help feeling that if I know how they do it, I can be excellent too.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr
These urban fantasy novels about faeries in New York are really fun to read, and I'm excited to get more engrossed in the world Marr has built.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

What are you excited about this week?

Book Review: You're an Animal, Viskovitz! by Boffa Alessandro

2010-04-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

You're an Animal, Viskovitz! by Boffa Alessandro
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Humorous Short Stories (that's totally a genre, okay?)
Length: 192 pages
Rating:

In this wickedly hilarious collection of fables, Alessandro Boffa introduces us to Viskovitz and his never-ending search for his true love, Ljuba. As he changes from a lovelorn lion to a jealous finch, from a confused dung beetle to an enlightened police dog, Viskovitz embraces his metamorphoses with wry humor and an oftentimes painful sense of self.

A short review for a short book:

Reading this book was delightfully fun. The humor in this book was without compare, and it was also very witty--I was surprised and pleased by the creativity that went with the animal theme. Even as a sea sponge, Viskovitz's voice was funny and clever, and there was a cool twist in every story. I enjoyed some of the stories more than the others, of course, but each one went by so quickly that even those didn't drag the story down. This is an excellent book for a lazy afternoon or simply when you're in the mood for something more lighthearted. Very enjoyable.

Amazon***Barnes and Noble***Goodreads

Book Review: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

2010-04-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Steampunk (isn't that the most fantastic name)
Length: 440 pages
Rating:

Prince Aleksander, would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battletorn war machine and a loyal crew of men.

Deryn Sharp is a commoner, disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.

With World War I brewing, Alek and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way…taking them on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure that will change both their lives forever.

Review: I really, really wanted to like this book. I think the concept is fantastic, and this book had the chance to be wonderful. But it ended up being just okay. I couldn't really get into the story or bring myself to care what happened next. The concept and plot, though, were good enough to keep me reading the book, and I think I'll pick up the next book in the series when it comes out to see if the characterization and flow improve.

First, I love the idea of World War I as a battle between "Darwinists," who biologically engineer boats and aircraft, and "Clunkers," who build with mechanical engines and parts. It's such a clever take on history and it's interesting to read about. I was constantly working out what had changed from real history and what had stayed the same, which was very entertaining to do.

The characters were a little shaky. They did have unique personalities, but I thought they were a little bit boring--I've seen them before. And one of the characters talks in a ridiculous accent that annoyed me every time I read it. I understand that it's important to capture the time period and the way someone talks is part of that, but it seemed over the top to me, and I've read a lot of characters with accents.

If you like the premise of this book, I would recommend you read it just for that. If you don't find the premise interesting, I wouldn't read it, because there isn't much else to make you enjoy the book.

Amazon****Barnes and Noble****Official Website

New Releases: 4/10/10-4/16/10

2010-04-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

Here's what to look for in bookstores this week.

Every Last One by Anna Quindlen
This is a family drama about a mother who's son is depressed and a "shocking act of violence." The author won a Pulitzer Prize, so I expect this will be good.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel
I loved The Life of Pi so much--it completely changed the way I thought about literature as a whole. Honestly, I think it was one of the first books I read that was more than YA or fluff. So I cannot wait to read this new book, even though it has gotten mixed reviews.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker
This is a thriller about a serial killer that leaves a wedding veil at the scene of every crime. I've been in the mood for something fast-paced and interesting, and this could fit the bill.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

The Eerie Silence by Paul Davies
A nonfiction book about the seabrch for alien life. That entire topic just seems fascinating to me, and I'd love to read about the ways scientists are going about searching for life on other planets.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future by Michael J. Fox
I love Michael J. Fox's movies. Who could possibly fail to enjoy Back to the Future? So when I saw this memoir, I got really excited. It's sounds fun and funny, and interesting to boot.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

What are you excited about this week?

Book Blogger Hop (3)

2010-04-16T07:07:00.000-04:00

Time for the Book Blogger Hop! Head over to Crazy for Books to find more excellent book blogs or to join in, and feel free to comment here if that's where you're coming from.

Poetry Appreciation: The Second Coming

2010-04-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

As April is National Poetry Appreciation month, I decided I would share some of my favorite poetry with you.

I don't read much poetry. I have a difficult time finding the poems that I really love, because so many of them don't interest me at all. However, there are some poems that I read and connect with instantly--with the rhythm, and the words, and how it rolls off the tongue. This is one of those poems.

"The Second Coming" by William Yeats

Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

I love this poem so much.

The words used are the first thing that I find so wonderful. In the first stanza alone we get "mere anarchy" and "blood-dimmed tide" and "ceremony of innocence." Every word does an excellent job of conjuring up the exact imagery necessary for that portion of the poem. And likewise, every word has a purpose in the poem.

The way everything rolls off your tongue is also so beautiful. This poem needs to be read aloud, because it sounds so good read aloud. All of the words fit with each other--it's so hard to explain, but something is there that makes this poem amazing when it's spoken.

Poems are meant to be spoken, I think, and the best ones are the poems that embrace that to its full extent.

Do you read poetry? If so, what are your favorite poems?

Book Review: SuperFreakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner

2010-04-12T10:00:00.000-04:00

SuperFreakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner

Age Group: Adult

Genre: Nonfiction

Length: 270 pages

Rating:

The New York Times best-selling Freakonomics was a worldwide sensation, selling over four million copies in thirty-five languages and changing the way we look at the world. Now, Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner return with SuperFreakonomics, and fans and newcomers alike will find that the freakquel is even bolder, funnier, and more surprising than the first.

Four years in the making, SuperFreakonomics asks not only the tough questions, but the unexpected ones: What's more dangerous, driving drunk or walking drunk? Why is chemotherapy prescribed so often if it's so ineffective? Can a sex change boost your salary?

SuperFreakonomics challenges the way we think all over again, exploring the hidden side of everything with such questions as:

How is a street prostitute like a department-store Santa?
Why are doctors so bad at washing their hands?
How much good do car seats do?
What's the best way to catch a terrorist?
Did TV cause a rise in crime?
What do hurricanes, heart attacks, and highway deaths have in common?
Are people hard-wired for altruism or selfishness?
Can eating kangaroo save the planet?
Which adds more value: a pimp or a Realtor?

Levitt and Dubner mix smart thinking and great storytelling like no one else, whether investigating a solution to global warming or explaining why the price of oral sex has fallen so drastically. By examining how people respond to incentives, they show the world for what it really is – good, bad, ugly, and, in the final analysis, super freaky.

Review: I loved the first book in this series, Freakonomics. The quirky, interesting questions and new ideas were clever and funny and call into question many things I thought I knew for sure in fascinating ways. I'm pleased to say that this book was good too--although not quite as good as the first book.

The best part of this book is the content. The information shared is astonishing and fun. It definitely doesn't feel like you're learning economics, but that's what the book is all about. One chapter is all about monkeys who were taught to use money and ended up acting the same way as humans did in gambling games. In another chapter, it was revealed that children over three years old are just as safe in an adult lap belt as they are in a car seat. I was blown away by the consistently interesting facts and the funny commentary.

I'll be the first to admit that I've never really liked nonfiction, but I can whole-heartedly recommend this to anyone. Even people like me who spend almost all of their time on fiction. And though you don't have to read Freakonomics before you read this book, you'll want to once you have. The topics examined in that book are even more interesting.

Amazon****Barnes and Noble****Official Website

Book Review: Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

2010-04-11T11:00:00.000-04:00

Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Length: 297 pages
Rating:

When her best friend, Hope Weaver, moves away from Pineville, New Jersey, hyperobservant sixteen-year-old Jessica Darling is devastated. A fish out of water at school and a stranger at home, Jessica feels more lost than ever now that the only person with whom she could really communicate has gone. How is she supposed to deal with the boy- and shopping-crazy girls at school, her dad’s obsession with her track meets, her mother salivating over big sister Bethany’s lavish wedding, and her nonexistent love life?

A fresh, funny, utterly compelling fiction debut by first-time novelist Megan McCafferty, Sloppy Firsts is an insightful, true-to-life look at Jessica’s predicament as she embarks on another year of teenage torment--from the dark days of Hope’s departure through her months as a type-A personality turned insomniac to her completely mixed-up feelings about Marcus Flutie, the intelligent and mysterious “Dreg” who works his way into her heart. Like a John Hughes for the twenty-first century, Megan McCafferty taps into the inherent humor and drama of the teen experience. This poignant, hilarious novel is sure to appeal to readers who are still going through it, as well as those who are grateful that they don’t have to go back and grow up all over again.

Review: I’ve never been a huge fan of chic-lit, and that’s what this seemed to be going into reading it. I saw it in the library, though, and decided to pick it up on a random impulse. I was pleasantly surprised.

The main character is one of the best I’ve ever read—I fell in love with her instantly. She has an awesome personality, she’s smart and funny and she runs track yay! She makes really interesting remarks about everyone around her, and I really want to be her friend. Too bad she actually doesn’t exist...

The romance was realistically developed and didn’t feel forced or cliché, and the way it turned out in the end of the book was perfect. It was an incredible cliffhanger that forced me to go out and get the next book immediately.

The one issue I had with the book was the high-school scene they wrote about. It was the classic image of cliques and jocks and geeks that I’ve gotten so tired of after a while. I understand that it’s difficult to get the proper dynamic in a high school without that, but I really wish someone could treat it a little differently.

All in all this was an excellent, very quick read, even if it's not perfect. Stay tuned for my review of the second book in the series, Second Helpings, which should come next week.

Amazon****Barnes and Noble****Official Website

Book Blogger Hop (2)

2010-04-10T09:19:00.001-04:00

Time for the Book Blogger Hop! Head over to Crazy for Books to find more excellent book blogs, and feel free to comment here if that's where you're coming from.

New Releases: 4/3/10-4/9/10

2010-04-08T23:00:00.000-04:00

Oh my god, it was so difficult to narrow down the huge number of books coming out this week to the few I talk about here--and I still ended up with a bunch! Here are some of the amazing sounding new books being released.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
I love all of John Green's books--An Abundance of Katherines is one of my favorites. So I was very excited when I discovered that he had a new book coming out, especially one that sounds as cool as this one. At it's core are two boys who share the same name (three guesses what it is), but it looks like it examines the teenage experience as well as John Green's other books do.

Amazon
Barnes and Nob le
Goodreads

Anthill by Edward O. Wilson
This is a novel by a renowned naturalist about a boy working to save an anthill. As a person who very passionately believes in saving the environment, this looks excellent, as well as having a very good story.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

Daughters of Witching Hill by Mary Sharratt
This explores the witch trials in the 1600's through the eyes of several women who are accused of witchcraft. It is based on actual events in an actual town, which makes it all the more fascinating. Even though the witch trials make me so mad at the unfairness of it all, I love reading the stories of the people caught up in that period of time.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

The 39 Clues Book 8: The Emperor's Code by Gordan Korman
I haven't actually read any of the books in the 39 clues series, but the idea of them really interests me. The concept is that you find clues in every one of the books, in addition to on the website and in the trading cards. I love the idea of interactive reading, and I would like to pick up a book to see what it's like.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads
39 Clues Website

The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman
First, what a pretty cover! Second, an interesting look at the newspaper industry is something I haven't read before but that looks neat to read.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

What are you excited about this week?

Book Review: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

2010-04-07T11:00:00.000-04:00

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Historical Fiction
Length: 983 pages
Rating:

In 12th-century England, the building of a mighty Gothic cathedral signals the dawn of a new age. This majestic creation will bond clergy and kings, knights and peasants together in a story of toil, faith, ambition and rivalry. A sweeping tale of the turbulent middle ages, The Pillars of the Earth is a masterpiece from one of the world's most popular authors.

Review: When I go on a long vacation, I typically bring a really, really big book to keep me occupied on the long car ride--in this case a total of thirty hours. I selected The Pillars of the Earth at the last minute, on a half-remembered recommendation from a few years ago, and it turned out to be the perfect book.

Everything about this book drew me in from the very beginning. There was a perfect balance between action and character development to keep me enthralled both by what was happening and what was going to happen. Even with the dozens of different characters, I didn't find it difficult to keep track of which was which because they all had their own personalities and ways of doing things that distinguished them from the others.

It was interesting seeing the characters grow and change, as well. This book spans many decades and changes from one main character to the next as they aged or died, and each time the book focused on a character I fell in love with them (or began to hate them passionately, which is often just as good).

One word of warning, though--at over 900 pages, this book should definitely be started when you have a lot of time to read it, because it will take a while to get through. And it requires a good bit of energy to read, too, because there are a lot of plots to keep track of. It's definitely not light reading, but it's fantastic in a situation like mine where I had a lot of time to devote to truly enjoying it.

Amazon****Barnes and Noble****Official Website

Book Review: The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

2010-04-04T07:00:00.000-04:00

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Sci-fi
Rating:

This book was simply beautiful. I was a bit skeptical when I picked it up first--it seemed like it go into the realm of sci-fi medical bizarreness, but it didn't at all. The main character, Jenna, was so realistic and easy to relate to, and I felt for her through the entire book. Every time she discovered something new about herself, I got a jolt in my stomach as well.

The other characters were also well written. The family dynamic was perfectly expressed through the little reactions they had around each other, without being over the top, and her friends each have their own, fully developed personalities, even though they weren't in many of the scenes.

One of the best things about the book, though, was how it made you think. Medical ethics are a hugely important topic moving into the future, and I never really knew much about the issues facing us. This book presented them, but didn't tell you what was right. Even the characters weren't sure what was right. It was wonderful that they were described, though, so I could look at them and learn from them.

Overall, a fantastic read that I would highly recommend.

Website

Book Blogger Hop

2010-04-03T08:21:00.000-04:00

Time for the Book Blogger Hop! Head over to Crazy for Books to find more excellent book blogs, and feel free to comment here if that's where you're coming from.

New Releases: 3/28/10-4/2/10

2010-04-02T07:00:00.000-04:00

Not a huge week for new releases, but there are some that deserve to be noted.

Solar by Ian McEwan
I haven't actually read anything by Ian McEwan yet (and no, I do not live under a rock) but this book has been generating a lot of buzz--and it looks very interesting. The global warming backdrop to the book could really work and I'm fascinated by the idea of a main character that you despise.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads
Official Website

Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas
It was the title that first attracted me to this book, but I really love the concept. The book is about families after an avalanche in Colorado in 1920 and how their lives change and evolve.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads
Official Website

Pearl of China by Anchee Min
This book tells the partly true story of the friendship between a poor Chinese girl and the daughter of a Christian missionary through the Chinese Revolution. Hooray for historical fiction, and isn't the cover gorgeous?

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads
Official Website

31 Bond Street by Ellen Horan
This is a legal drama that takes place before the Civil War about a girl trying to prove her innocence in a murder. I love courtroom dramas, so this looks very good.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads
Official Website

Hungry Girl 1-2-3: The Easiest, Most Delicious, Guilt-Free Recipes on the Planet by Lisa Lillien
This is a book of simple, quick recipes. Seeing as that's all I can handle, those are the recipes I need.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads
Official Website

What are you excited about this week?

Book Review: Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin

2010-03-31T13:00:00.000-04:00

Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Historical Fiction

Length: 368 pages
Rating:

But oh my dear, I am tired of being Alice in Wonderland. Does it sound ungrateful?

Alice Liddell Hargreaves's life has been a richly woven tapestry: As a young woman, wife, mother, and widow, she's experienced intense passion, great privilege, and greater tragedy. But as she nears her eighty-first birthday, she knows that, to the world around her, she is and will always be only "Alice."

A love story and a literary mystery, ALICE I HAVE BEEN brilliantly blends fact and fiction to capture the passionate spirit of a woman who was truly worthy of her fictional alter ego, in a world as captivating as the Wonderland only she could inspire.

Review: I wasn’t originally planning to read this book. I heard about it on a podcast, and I thought it sounded interesting but I didn’t really want to pick it up at first—I can’t really say why. And then I heard about it on the radio, and then a friend mentioned it, and then it was on display at the library, so...I just had to pick it up. And I’m so glad I did.

This book was filled with the kinds of interesting facts mixed with story that makes historical fiction so interesting to me. Not a whole lot is known about the real Alice or her relationship between the man who would become Lewis Carroll, and this book filled in the gaps to make her into a very realistic person. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to read Alice in Wonderland the same way, because I’ll always be thinking about this book when I do.

Besides the fact that it just puts a personality to someone I’d never thought much about, this book also told a fantastic story, which was even more interesting because it was at least partially true. Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) in the books was much more creepy than I had ever imagined, and a kind of pedophile way. But he wasn’t a creepy person…he was just obsessed with little girls. Okay, that does make him sound creepy. But it was fun and interesting to read about.

Alice’s story was extremely well told, not just as the story about the girl from Alice in Wonderland but as a story of a life. I loved it in almost every way, and it definitely deserves to be read. So...read it, because you won't regret it.

Website

Book Review: Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

2010-03-28T13:00:00.000-04:00

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Age Group: Young Adult
Length: 432 pages
Rating:

"What do you want from me?" he asks. What I want from every person in my life, I want to tell him. More.

Abandoned by her mother on Jellicoe Road when she was eleven, Taylor Markham, now seventeen, is finally being confronted with her past. But as the reluctant leader of her boarding school dorm, there isn't a lot of time for introspection. And while Hannah, the closest adult Taylor has to family, has disappeared, Jonah Griggs is back in town, moody stares and all.

In this absorbing story by Melina Marchetta, nothing is as it seems and every clue leads to more questions as Taylor tries to work out the connection between her mother dumping her, Hannah finding her then and her sudden departure now, a mysterious stranger who once whispered something in her ear, a boy in her dreams, five kids who lived on Jellicoe Road eighteen years ago, and the maddening and magnetic Jonah Griggs, who knows her better than she thinks he does. If Taylor can put together the pieces of her past, she might just be able to change her future.

Review: Jellicoe Road is a gorgeous book—after you get through the beginning of it. It does start off slow, with lots of plot threads that don’t seem to connect or look like they’re going anywhere. But after you get through the setup section, it gets amazing, and it’s definitely worth reading.

I loved the characters so much in this book. Marchetta does a fantastic job of introducing the main character and making her flawed—very flawed—but still likeable. And the other characters develop very well, too. They change in your eyes as they change in Taylor’s, which is difficult to accomplish but wonderful when done well.

One thing that really bothered me was the constant trips into back-story that didn’t make sense. Every chapter or so, there would be a portion of story that was meant to be from a “manuscript” that Taylor’s guardian was writing. Not only did you not really understand who the characters were for most of the book, they skipped around through time so I rarely even knew at what point in their lives they were. I know it was meant to be a mystery, but I just found myself skimming those sections to get back to the main story.

Apart from that, though, this book was excellent. It introduced me to some of present-day Australia, which was fun, and did so with well-written and believable characters.

New Releases: 3/20/10-3/27/10

2010-03-26T13:00:00.000-04:00

Caught by Harlan Coben

This story of a missing girl has been getting a lot of good reviews, and I think the idea is really interesting--tracing a lost girl who may or may not have been taken by a sexual predator.

Fading Echoes by Erin Hunter

Though I've never personally read the Warriors series, my brother informs me they're excellent for young readers. The series revolves around cats as the main characters, which seems like it could be really interesting. I'm a big fan of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series, myself, and that's all about owls.

Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War by Karl Malantes

This is a story about a fictional Marine who finds himself in Vietnam, in all kinds of situations and problems. This could be a really interesting look into war, as it's written by a veteran who can definitely bring knowledge of the feelings of war to the table.

The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear

I adore the Maisie Dobbs series about a woman detective in the 1920's and 30's. They have a wonderful charm to the way they're written, but they're engaging mystery stories as well--a tricky balance to acheive. I can't wait to read this new installment.

What are you looking forward to reading?

Book Review: The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist

2010-03-24T13:00:00.000-04:00

The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Dystopic Fiction
Rating:

One day in early spring, Dorrit Weger is checked into the Second Reserve Bank Unit for biological material. She is promised a nicely furnished apartment inside the Unit, where she will make new friends, enjoy the state of the art recreation facilities, and live the few remaining days of her life in comfort with people who are just like her. Here, women over the age of fifty and men over sixty–single, childless, and without jobs in progressive industries–are sequestered for their final few years; they are considered outsiders. In the Unit they are expected to contribute themselves for drug and psychological testing, and ultimately donate their organs, little by little, until the final donation. Despite the ruthless nature of this practice, the ethos of this near-future society and the Unit is to take care of others, and Dorrit finds herself living under very pleasant conditions: well-housed, well-fed, and well-attended. She is resigned to her fate and discovers her days there to be rather consoling and peaceful. But when she meets a man inside the Unit and falls in love, the extraordinary becomes a reality and life suddenly turns unbearable. Dorrit is faced with compliance or escape, and…well, then what?

Review:
I have seriously mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I liked the premise and plot, and I really want to like the book. However, I didn’t really like the characters at all and couldn’t understand their decisions, and I hated the ending. A lot. So…yeah.

I really liked the idea behind the story of a population of people forced to become organ donors/test subjects. It’s a perfect model of a controlling government that’s not simply cruel. They let people have a long life before they send them to the biological reserve bank. They treat them well once they’re in the bank, and the people we meet who run the place seem nice. It’s an interesting concept, and the plot itself is executed well.

The characters, though, fell flat. I just couldn’t get into the heads of any of them. Dorrit, the main character, wants to be a strong, independent woman who doesn’t rely on anyone else, but she also relishes in having man take care of her. She makes friends, but they never seem to become close. It’s just assumed for the sake of the story that they are.

And then there’s the ending. Oh god, the ending. I just stared at the back cover of the book for about ten minutes after I finished the book. I just couldn’t believe what had happened, and it wasn’t in a good way. It was a total departure of character yet again, and it just made me angry.

So after that extremely long and convoluted review, I have determined nothing at all. I do recommend the book to people who enjoy dystopic fiction, because this twists it in an interesting way. But don’t go into expecting a fantastic novel.

Book Review: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

2010-03-21T13:00:00.000-04:00

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Ummmm…maybe mystery?
Length: 208 pages
Rating:

Four mysterious letters change Miranda's world forever.

By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it's safe to go, like the local grocery store, and they know whom to avoid, like the crazy guy on the corner.

But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a new kid for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda's mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then Miranda finds a mysterious note scrawled on a tiny slip of paper:

I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own.
I must ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter.

The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows all about her, including things that have not even happened yet. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she's too late.

Review:
When You Reach Me is a very sweet book. The main character and her friends are wonderfully written and they all feel different—the way they talk, the way they act, and the way they interact with other people in the story. And even though they’re younger than most of the characters I read about, I connected with them.

The ending of this book is amazing, too. I don’t want to give anything away, so suffice to say it made me want to reread the book. Everything came together in the end masterfully.

The pacing was a little bit slow at the very beginning, but other than that this was a fun, very quick read—I finished it in one sitting—that I really enjoyed with a beautifully woven together plot.

This Week in Books: 3/13/10-3/19/10

2010-03-19T10:10:00.000-04:00

Young Adult:

FANG by James Patterson
Release Date: March 15, 2010

This is the next book in the Maximum Ride series, which is about a group of genetically modified kids with wings, that I have long enjoyed for it's quick, action-packed writing style. This is shaping up to be another good book, though the premise doesn't seem quite as interesting as some of the other books in the series.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads
Official Website
Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Volume 1 by Stephanie Meyer, Young Kim (illustrator)
Release Date: March 16, 2010

Okay, I'm not really a fan of the Twilight series (and yes, I have read them), but I'm still excited to see how the graphic novel turns out. It definitely has the potential to be interesting, and could be really fun to read if the artwork is good.

Amazon Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

Adult:

The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis

Release Date: March 15, 2010

This is a book about how the financial crisis in America really happened. From what I've read, it appears to be mostly character-driven--written like a novel, but telling a true story. Sounds excellent!

Amazon Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
Release Date: March 16, 2010

This is a novel about a woman who moves back to North Carolina to help understand her past a little bit better. It's magical realism, which is a genre I've never really read but find very intriguing.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

The Queen's Lover by Vanora Bennett
Release Date: March 16, 2010

I love historical fiction, so this new book about 15th century Catherine de Valois looks perfect for me.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads
Official Website

What are you excited about this week?

Book Review: The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

2010-03-17T13:00:00.000-04:00

The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery
Length: 514 pages
Rating:

Faith, I tell them, is a mystery, elusive to many, and never easy to explain.

It is 1875, and Ann Eliza Young has recently separated from her powerful husband, Brigham Young, prophet and leader of the Mormon Church. Expelled and an outcast, Ann Eliza embarks on a crusade to end polygamy in the United States. A rich account of a family’s polygamous history is revealed, including how a young woman became a plural wife.

Soon after Ann Eliza’s story begins, a second exquisite narrative unfolds–a tale of murder involving a polygamist family in present-day Utah. Jordan Scott, a young man who was thrown out of his fundamentalist sect years earlier, must reenter the world that cast him aside in order to discover the truth behind his father’s death.
And as Ann Eliza’s narrative intertwines with that of Jordan’s search, readers are pulled deeper into the mysteries of love and faith.

Review:

The 19th Wife is a fascinating look at polygamy in The United States. I knew next to nothing about this topic before I read the book, and I’m glad I picked it up. It’s an important topic that’s gotten a good bit of coverage, and it’s engrossing to read about.

The two stories written about worked well together in the novel. There was an interesting combination of letters, essays, and memoirs that kept the writing interesting. The modern-day mystery story seemed a little forced, though—the characters acted like detectives in a cliché crime novel to advance the plot. I didn’t really like the ending to that storyline, either. Everything was wrapped up a little too neatly.

The historical information was exciting to read, but also terrifying. It starts with the formation of the Mormon Church and goes through the time when polygamy is denounced by that same church. Seeing the power of the prophet of the church and the motivations of the top officials was scary, especially when considering how many people once accepted their word as law. It’s fascinating, though, and I’m glad I understand more about the topic than I did before.

The 19th Wife is a peek into a different kind of world, and it captured me from the very beginning. This is the book for anyone who enjoys historical fiction or simply wants to learn more about a hot topic of today.

The Classics Circuit

2010-03-15T10:16:00.000-04:00

Today I would like to turn everyone's attention to a fantastic blog tour called The Classics Circuit. Instead of helping to publicize a book that is coming out soon, this tour delves into the work of an author from the past, with a four week tour of reviews and information on dozens of blogs. It's not always just an author, either--they recently had a tour that consisted of work from the Harlem Renaissance.

The tour going on right now is a tribute to Georgette Heyer, and Emile Zola is coming up next month. I highly encourage you to go check it out if reading classics at all interests you, or even if you just want to find more excellent blogs to read. Long live the classics!

Book Review: Graceling by Kristin Cashore

2010-03-14T13:00:00.000-04:00

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 480 pages
Rating:

Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug.

She never expects to fall in love with beautiful Prince Po.

She never expects to learn the truth behind her Grace—or the terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

Review:

This book was excellent. It managed to take a kind of world that has been written several times—the high fantasy, medieval-esque type of invented location—and breathe new life into it. Katsa’s actions as a bully for the king make her an interesting and new type of character, and her internal struggles are wonderful to read. She has depth, and she hates herself sometimes, and she gets confused about the decisions she has to make. And she’s powerful.

The romance was sweet, and though it was a bit predictable in the way it developed, I really enjoyed seeing Katsa and Po around each other. They really understood each other while at the same time staying true to what their characters were built up to be.

The actual plot was exciting and unexpected as well. It kept me enthralled the entire time, and I found myself practically shouting at the book. When I’m that emotionally involved, I know I’ve hit on an excellent book. If you enjoy fantasy novels in general, you will love Graceling.

This Week in Books: 3/6/10-3/12/10

2010-03-12T13:00:00.000-05:00

This week has been a great one for releases of new books--here are some of the most notable.

Young Adult:

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

Release Date: March 9, 2010

This is the companion book to the very popular The Forest of Hands and Teeth. The series is about an alternate world where zombies live (metaphorically speaking) along with the living. I never read the first book, but it looks excellent.

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Release Date: March 9, 2010

This is a debut novel about a grief-stricken teenager who ends up torn between two different boys. Though the story has been told before, this looks like a sweet and heart-wrenching novel, and it has gotten good reviews so far.

Adult:

The Devil and Sherlock Holmes by David Grann

Release Date: March 9, 2010

This book is a collection of short stories that revolve around obsession. I read one of the author's other books, The Lost City of Z, and absolutely loved it--this one looks like it will be just as good.

The Husbands and Wives Club by Laurie Abraham

Release Date: March 9, 2010

This book was written by a jounalist who sat in on the marriage counseling of five different couples. The article she wrote for The New York Times Magazine was so popular that she expanded it into this book, which examines marriage and the many complexities involved. I think this could be truly fascinating.

The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley

Release Date: March 9, 2010

Oh my god, I'm so excited for this. It's the second in the Flavia de Luce series, after The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, and I adored that book. Flavia is a quirky girl--maybe 10 or 11--living in the 1950's who loves poisons and solving mysteries. The first book involves her solving a case, and it looks like this one will be similar. I'm really looking forward to reading it.