The Summer Solstice & Navigating a Reading Slump

Happy first day of the summer solstice!! Summer is one of my favorite seasons so I'm doing a little happy dance to celebrate. (Just picture that for a moment. Ok, let's move on.)

I know a lot of people don't particularly love summer because of the heat but I really thrive in the warmer months. Like fall, I strive to be outside as much as possible to get my body moving and soak up the sunshine before -0 temps return and I go into hibernation.

Here's a list of my absolute favorite summertime activities/things/places:

1) Mouthwatering berries.

Berries are in season during the summer months (so juicy and sweet), so I stock up to get my fix. ALL of the blueberries and stat!

2) Lazy days at the pool.

I know many people hate frying out by the pool during the day, but I LOVE it. Most weekends you'll find me, book in one hand, fizzy water in the other, soaking up the vitamin D and grinning. I get soooo much more reading done. Plus, short swim breaks take me back to my childhood and my mermaid dreams.

3) Picnics, concerts, Shakespeare—you name it—in the park! 

Chicago is the best during the summer (yes, it gets hot, but it's nothing compared to Atlanta's humidity so I can deal). There are always so many outdoor events occurring in each neighborhood that it'd probably take you a lifetime to experience them all. My particular favorite is the symphony at Millennium Park, where visitors have the option to buy seats or sit on the lawn (free) and watch the symphony perform at dusk. You're welcome to bring a picnic, a bottle of wine or two, and relax on the lawn with the skyline as your view. It's magical.

Yay! Summer.

I'll have a considerable amount of free time in the coming weeks so I'm looking to get some good reads in. I'm stuck in a rut at the moment with no sign of getting out. Help!

Current Reads:

The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

This started out strong for me (well, after getting over some small annoyances), but then kind of just died. I know I'll finish but don't find myself itching to get back.

Chronicle of a Last Summer: A Novel of Egypt by Yasmine El Rashidi

I keep reading that once you get past the initial chapters, told from the perspective of a 6-yr-old girl, this book gets really good, but it's been such a struggle to even get as far as I have. I'm really interested in Egyptian political culture but this just isn't doing it for me.  I feel guilty because I'm really trying to get through my ARCs (and post about them) and this one is just rotting on my kindle.

Grief is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter

This one is actually really good. As much as I want to push on, I just don't think I'm in the right emotional place for it at this point in time. I linked to Julianne's (Outlandish Lit) review because she does a fantastic job covering everything Porter does right.


So... what should I pick up next? I've got The Girls by Emma Cline, Hot Milk by Deborah Levy, Invincible Summer by Alice Adams, and SO MANY OTHERS just waiting to be consumed. What are you reading right now?? And what do you love about it?

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A Post: Mini Reviews of Recent Reads

This is a book blog, so I should probably say something about what I've read recently, right? The (sporadic) new posts on Mondays were designed to help me choose titles and then actually commit to reading them... Hopefully, this will push me to blog regularly, as well.

So, in the spirit, here are some mini reviews for your eyes:

I finished The Improbability of Love by Hannah Rothschild last month and walked away feeling a little disappointed. The novel had a fun premise: a lonely, thirty-something woman in London finds an old painting in a bric-a-brac shop and takes it home without realizing it's a great masterpiece. As the reader learns more about the painting, Rothschild introduces characters from around the globe, coming together to give the audience a view of the art world– the money, the corruption and scandal, and everything that makes the scene so exclusive.

While I found each bit really interesting, it seemed like there were too many elements competing to really tell a solid story. I often forgot who certain characters were because they wouldn't be mentioned for fifty pages or more.  Characters were sometimes too absurd to be taken seriously, and this really goes for most of the cast, so clearly built on ridiculous stereotypes that it often made me wince. I got the feeling that this was intentional but it just felt off. I must admit, however, that I LOVED the moment when the painting, itself, took over the story and revealed sordid stories of those who had owned it before (think Voltaire, Catherine the Great, Queen Victoria). It recently made the Bailey's longlist, so it's worth checking out, but didn't work for me. (2.5 stars)

Hilarious sketches about everyday life. Less about cats (as the title suggests) and more about the everyday experiences of being a human being in this day and age. I laughed until I cried so many times. Definitely recommend. (3.5 stars)

The Brontë Plot* follows Lucy, a voracious reader and assistant to a successful antique's dealer and interior designer in Chicago, who employs questionable judgement when she adds inscriptions to the old books she sells to raise the value. Caught up in her need to embellish and tell stories, Lucy doesn't necessarily realize what she's been doing is wrong until it threatens a romantic interest. Believing all is lost, Lucy pushes forward and accepts a client's offer to visit England, where she decides to right her wrongs and face her painful past.

I'd say The Brontë Plot is fun but not the read of the year. The characters aren't very engaging and many of their actions are hard to believe. However, what the author lacks in creating realistic characters, she more than makes up for with her ability to build atmosphere. This really saved it, especially the last half, as Reay describes in great detail the moors where Anne, Charlotte, and Emily based so many of their tales. All and all, I don't think I'd recommend this unless I knew someone really loved literary references. (2.5 stars)

*I received an advanced reader's copy of this title from Random House through Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. 

Reviews to Come:

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Girl at War by Sara Nović

Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín

The Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee

What are you reading?

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A Post: Weekly Reads / 02.07.2016

Started and finished The Bronte Plot by Katherine Reay this weekend, so look out for a post of mini reviews with my thoughts on it, and The Improbability of Love, later this week.

Started First Ladies: Presidential Historians on the Lives of 45 Iconic American Women by Susan Swain on Friday and have gotten as far as the 28th-- there were two, Edith, and then Ellen Wilson. It's fascinating and has pushed me to do some more reading featuring American history. C-Span pulled the book together by taking pieces from the televised programs created for each of the first ladies in order to give a basic overview of their personalities and legacies. Pretty excited that I'll have something to watch once I'm finished. Learn more (and watch) here: http://firstladies.c-span.org/.

Hoping to get into Girl Through Glass by Sari Wilson after finally getting it in at the library.

And, of course, the large stack of comics I hope to add between longer reads. (insert smiley emojis)

All and all, I'm thinking it's going to be a promising week in the reading department!

What are you reading?

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A Review: The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows

"That was when I first heard about Layla Beck, when I began to wonder about my father, and when I noticed I was being lied to and decided to leave my childhood behind."

For the first time ever I believe I might actually meet my Goodreads Reading Challenge goal for the year. This is exciting for so many reasons. Maybe it's because I actually made it more realistic, setting it at 40 rather than 50, like in the past, where I've never even gotten close. It just didn't happen... but maybe it could now?! The Truth According to Us was my 20th and was completed just a day before the half-way point in the year! I can see victory on my horizon. These are exciting times, people! It also happened to be my favorite read thus far and has helped propel me into my next book, another ARC, This is Your Life, Harriet Chance!, which I'm also really enjoying. Ahhh... the book life.

I digress.

When I first started I was unable to overcome my desire to see what fellow book bloggers and enthusiasts were thinking about this one. It really is such a detrimental action but yet I still succumb. And I came across several reviews of respected fellow bloggers who just didn't feel like this delivered, and let me be the first to admit that it was far from perfect, but there was just something there that I loved so much. I was so happy that for once my impatience and curiosity hadn't spoiled something. What's more... I purposely paced myself in order to keep that world alive for just a bit longer and that's really what you want a book to do. It was just what I needed to start the summer and the next half of the year. For fans of the epistolary style found in the other title Barrows is so famous for, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, I promise you won't be disappointed. While the novel isn't told exclusively through letters from each of the participating characters, there are many that move the story along and add extra entertainment.

The novel centers on the small town of Macedonia, West Virginia during the depression. A small town much like any small town in the US of A at this period in time, everyone knows everyone, and they've all got a story to tell. Layla Beck is sent to Macedonia to record the history of town and its people for the Works Progress Administration after she refuses to marry a man her father, a wealthy senator, has chosen for her. Entitled and certainly naive, Layla learns Macedonia's history through the colorful townspeople, and her host family, the Romeyns. Little does she know she'll quickly fall head over heels for the patriarch, Felix Romeyn, and unearth some skeletons in the family's closet. With narration from the perspectives of Willa, Felix's eldest daughter, Jottie, Felix's eldest sister, and Layla herself, the reader is lost in Macedonia and an era that defined the nation.

Guys, I LOVED THIS NOVEL. All caps love. It's that serious. The story, tbh, was predictable and has been done before... BUT the characters! Oh my god. Jottie?! I loved her. I loved the family and the small town atmosphere and the southern dialogue. It offered a glimpse of how my grandparents' families were when they all got together. The phrase "hush up" took me back to family reunions from my childhood. I wanted to spend forever in those pages, conjuring up visions of my Nana sitting amongst my Papa's many sisters and their husbands. And if I'm being fair, that's probably why I connected to it like I did. On a deeper level, though, it also reminds readers what it's like to start seeing things as an adult as one comes of age.

Read it if you love historical fiction. Read it if you love epistolary tales. Read it if you're wanting something you could get lost in.



*I received an advanced reader's copy of this title from Random House through Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. 

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My First Readathon!

It feels like it's been a million years since I've had any time to sit down and read. What better way to commit to giving myself a little downtime than signing up for a readathon?! I've always wanted to join in but the timing has never worked out, and while I do actually have to photograph an event for several hours on Saturday, I still have most of the weekend to kick back and get lost in a good one. Ahhhhhh! It's my first readathon and I'M SO EXCITED!!!! I've really missed reading and blogging and all you blogging buddies and just want to jump in on the action.

I went to the library this evening in anticipation and picked up a few titles I'd been eyeing on Goodreads. I'm sure there will be some changes (and technically Dangerous Liaisons doesn't count because I've already started it), but I'm pretty happy with what I've got so far.

Readathon TBR:

Icelander by Dustin Long

I know nothing about this one. I found it while looking for another book and thought it would be appropriate since I'll be visiting Iceland in September. *Shrugs shoulders*

Broken Glass Park by Alina Bronsky

I found this one in a used bookstore in Chicago but couldn't commit to buying it at the time. I'll admit I'm not familiar with her work, but do know she has an extensive library, so fingers crossed.

The Observations by Jane Harris

I tried this one a couple of years ago and couldn't finish. But then Harris went and wrote one of my all-time favorites, Gillespie and I, so I figured I'd give it another go.

What We've Lost is Nothing by Rachel Louise Snyder

This title is my library's summer reading choice (One Book, One Oak Park). You  know, the whole community chooses a book for the season and then a huge event is held for people to participate and discuss. It's pretty awesome. It also happens to be based in my current home base, Oak Park, IL, so it'll be doubly interesting.

Second Life by S.J. Watson

I enjoyed Before I Go to Sleep (I really liked the movie), so it was added to the list because thrillers are always fast reads. Online sex circles? Ha. Doesn't sound like my cup of tea but I'm giving it a go. The book, not the circles...

The Caretaker by A.X. Ahmad

The second novel in this series made a recent must-read thriller list on NPR, and who am I to argue with that?! So I picked up the first. We'll see.


So... friends, what are you planning on reading?!? Anyone have any must-read historical fiction recommendations that I should add ASAP?!

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A Review: She Rises by Kate Worsley

When I saw that this one was sporting a blurb by Sarah Waters on the cover I knew I had to read it!

Louise is a young dairy maid on a prosperous farm when she's chosen to become lady's maid for the master's niece far away in a seaside town. Her mother, wary of her daughter's proximity to the dangerous waters after losing a husband and a son to ship life, begrudgingly consents to her new task. Rebecca, the lady in question , is far different than anything Louise ever expected and threatens to change her life completely. While Louise takes to her new position, Luke, a young man, finds himself aboard a naval vessel with men that have been taken into the sea life by force. Faced with a new way of living, Luke must learn the ways of the pack quickly in order to survive. A gritty tale of sea life and its dangers, readers will feel like they stepped back in time.

First, let me say that I really enjoyed this novel despite having a few issues overall. It's official that I'm less fond of stories told in the style of alternating between two characters. It can really break up the story and make it a bit more confusing than a straight narrative. I also found I was much more taken with one narrative in the book than the other and had a harder time reading the chapters that weren't as engaging. However, each character had their own distinct voice which made this style successful in the end. I could see the similarities in the two writers' styles shortly after beginning the novel. While Waters has had far more time to perfect her craft, Worsley will not disappoint with this debut novel. Bits of dialogue reminded me very much of Waters's Fingersmith, and were at times a little too similar, but enjoyable nonetheless. All and all, it's a great novel that is perfect for those who enjoy detailed stories with multiple characters.

**Readers beware! There are some pretty distressing subjects in this book. While they aren't necessarily discussed in gory detail, subjects are strongly alluded to and could be distressing for some readers. 

Oh! and guess what?? TLC Book Tours is offering one lucky reader a copy of this beautiful book!

Enter below for a chance to win:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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A Review: Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler

Zelda Sayre is young, sociable, and hell bent on breaking the rules. A force in her small Alabama hometown, her wild tendencies haven't met a match until she meets a young Army officer, F. Scott Fitzgerald, at a town dance. Z follows the infamous couple from the beginning of their happy lives together, highlighting Scott's height of fame, before exhibiting their final collapse after leading lives of excess. Told from the perspective of Zelda through these trials and tribulations, Z is a refreshing look at this tragic story.

From what I understand, the recapitulation of Zelda and Scott's relationship is quite polarizing. Some believe Zelda and her emotional fits ruined Scott and drained his creativity. Others, however, believe that Zelda was very clever, incredibly yielding, and allowed Scott to repeatedly claim her work as his own. I, for one, have never been one to view a relationship and its success or failure on one individual; clearly, there were issues with both Scott and Zelda. Both appear to have been unable to control their fiery temperaments, which probably didn't mix well with Scott's alcoholism and Zelda's mental instability. This, however, most certainly falls into the camp that sympathizes with Zelda, and obviously so, as it's told from Zelda's perspective of their wonderful honeymoon period and its subsequent decline.

Fowler has a way of evoking the sights and sounds of the glitz and glamour of cities like New York City and Paris in the late 1920s. Smoky dens, loud music, and artists assembled around crowded tables come to life in its pages. While she doesn't necessarily provide vivid descriptions of these scenes, her characters and their actions bring it to life in a way that makes it so much more fascinating.

Fowler admits that she took liberties with some events in the book, which is standard for historical literature, but emphasizes that she was inspired by reading countless letters from the couple to one another, and credible biographies on the two. Overall, it's a well written historical look at a couple that history has long been fascinated with, told by the figure that is often overshadowed but provided just as much color. I can't recommend this one enough; a fun read that is sure to prompt you to learn more about the Fitzgeralds.

I received a copy of Zelda: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald from St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. You can expect to see this novel in stores on March 26, 2013.
Read an excerpt, or pre-order a copy.

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A Post: BBC's Bleak House (2005)

Alrighty. This may seem pathetic, but it's my life, so whatever. This past weekend I had the wonderful experience of having the entire place to myself (meaning J was out of town). And as much as we all love our loving partners, we also love when they go away and leave us to frolic amongst the sofas and bedsheets. Or I do, anyway. So after finishing a book, baking some bread, and doing some laundry, I decided that I needed a Netflix account, and quick. I managed to find plenty of shows to add to my queue, but felt like a little Charles Dickens was exactly what I needed in my life at that moment.

Without hesitation, I turned it on, watched two episodes and considered whether I could handle the incredibly slow pacing until the very end. I realized, however, that I had no freaking clue what was going on or who all these million of characters where in relation to whom. SO. I had to finish. I had to know what this stupid trial was all about that had random people just showing up and developing relationships. I had to know why Gillian Anderson was praised so much when it appeared that she only knew how to make one face every episode!?!? I had to know who all these characters were and what would happen and so two days were devoted to Bleak House and not much else.

I'll admit that I haven't read Bleak House because I swore Dickens off in college. I know, the horror! But I just didn't enjoy reading his work and felt that there were too many books for me to force myself to slog through another. However, after watching the series, and reading reviews, this is supposed to be his best work, and now I'm thinking I may or may not give it a chance at some point.

The series is great! Great cast (aside from Gillian Anderson's one face albeit really pretty one) and some creepy characters that I didn't want to have to see ever again. The picture was beautiful and mostly realistic for the period. It seems like it did the book justice; although, I can't say for sure since I haven't read the book.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone that's read the book or watched the series. If not, perhaps see if it's up your alley.. still streaming on Netflix!

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A Review: Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

To think that I waited as long as I did to read this title makes me twitch a little. To think I might not have ever picked it up if it weren't for a couple of reviews I stumbled upon recently makes me worry. What could I potentially be missing out on? So many books!

Sue Trinder has led a quiet life of thieving in the sprawling and dirty streets of nineteenth century London. Ms. Sucksby, a mother figure to Sue, has managed to hold onto her for 17 years despite her occupation of farming infants and dealing with the crooked. When a man, only known as Gentleman, appears with a job that he believes only Sue will be able to complete, she recognizes her chance to be the prize Ms. Sucksby has always hoped she would be. A sinister plan to dupe the naive Maud Lilly, a lonely girl kept in a country house by her overbearing uncle, into accepting Sue as lady's maid, and eventually running off with the dashing Mr. Rivers (Gentleman himself) is soon underway. When the entire job seems to turn quite unexpectedly, readers are taken through madhouses in a world without regulations, the slums of London's back alleys and an unsympathetic period when you didn't know who you could trust.

I recently became acquainted with Sarah Waters this past fall when I completed The Little Stranger. The folks participating in the RIP Challenge had decided to create a readalong and I thought it seemed like something I could read around the same time and have some resources to review as well. Ok, so I admit that I never wrote a review. I enjoyed The Little Stranger for the strength of her writing, technically speaking. Waters can build an atmosphere, create distinct characters and force the reader to stumble through an intended confusion that seems unending (this is a compliment). However, her pacing, is another story. While The Little Stranger was creepy and perfectly haunted, it was really slow. The action is actually so slow in coming that you might miss it when it does because I'll admit that at times I zoned out while reading.

While the pacing is certainly a lot faster in Fingersmith, there are pieces that could probably have been edited and removed. There seems to be lulls in actions for 30 or more pages in order to let all the little details fall into place so that the whole story moves like one well-oiled machine. Basically, if you dig Wilkie Collins and his unending internal dialogue about watching a pin drop, you're going to love Fingersmith.

Ok, so that last bit sounded snarky and insincere. But I love Wilkie Collins and I loved Fingersmith. If you've read The Woman in White, expect the beginning to be essentially the same TWiW plot, but make it two ladies and a whole lot more deception.

It's after this point that things become really exciting. However, it's also the point where it seems a little dull even though it's imperative to the whole cohesion requisite. I want to talk about it so much more but don't want to spoil it because there are so many surprises that really make the novel stand out. I'll say, without giving it away, that I enjoyed the difference in romantic perspective, the questions raised about the ways in which women could live during this period, and the inability to determine the outcome until it was staring me in the face. My only issue was that some of the characters seemed to have the same voices. This irked me a bit, but didn't really take anything from the story in the long run.

The entire novel was a joy to read. I highly recommend it to anyone not afraid to tackle a real door stopper that's full of detail and big story. Waters is such a talented storyteller and I can't wait to read more of her work.

Read Fingersmith? Let me know what you think (please note spoilers for other readers)! Thinking about picking it up? Do it!!!

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A Review: The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise by Julia Stuart

I was initially drawn to The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise when I spotted the cover art on a new release email ages and ages ago. I added it to my enormous TBR list on Goodreads and didn't think much about it. Recently, however, I started going through the list and choosing titles pick up at the library, and this just happened to make the cut. When I read that it was compared to Amelie (one of my favorite movies ever) and pretty much anything by Wes Anderson, I had a good feeling.
 
Balthazar and Hebe Jones (and their 180-year-old tortoise) live in the Tower of London on account of Balthazar's job as a Beefeater. Once responsible for the keeping of the prisoners (and some acts of torture), present day Warders provide their extensive knowledge of the Tower's intense history in the form of a tour guide (apparently all employed at the Tower of London live in the space in the non-fiction world). Sharing the Salt Tower, a space with circular walls that don't making decorating too easy, Hebe and Balthazar carry on a painfully silent existence after the loss of their young son, Milo. Meanwhile, Balthazar is dealing with the responsibilities that come with the Queen's decision to appoint him overseer of the Royal Menagerie on the Tower grounds.

This well-developed cast of characters is quite entertaining. The Reverend writing erotic fiction under a female pen name. Valerie, Hebe's co-worker and best friend, reading mystery novels borrowed from the office and quietly replacing them each morning. The tattooed train officer who manages to visit Valerie at the most inconvenient times. And so on...

I found myself laughing aloud and struggling to hold back tears. The prose evoked the feelings I had when I first encountered the depth and magic of Nicole Krauss's The History of Love. I'll admit that I expected a novel of fluff, something fun to add a little laugh to my life, but found it offered so much more. Stuart is truly a talented writer who makes actions seem so natural to the characters despite the absurdity. The struggle to maintain a relationship despite loss added a serious tone that really added necessary balance without seeming like just another abused plot device. While the events leading up to the transferring of the animals from the London Zoo, and all events dealing with the animals thereafter were completely farfetched, I feel it added a sense of imagination I hadn't felt since I was a child. A time when anything was possible.

If you haven't given The Tower, the Zoo and the Tortoise a chance, please do. I don't think you'll regret it. I loved it!

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Excitement: Tana French's Broken Harbor Release

People! I'll admit that despite being a bookworm I generally don't get too excited about new releases. However, I am so excited about Tana French's newest novel, Broken Harbor, which was released today. While I know I should have visited an indie store this evening to pick up a copy, I couldn't resist when J asked if there were any books I wanted when he was making an order on Amazon. So. My copy should be delivered sometime today. Excited face.

 From Goodreads:

 In BROKEN HARBOR, a ghost estate outside Dublin - half-built, half-inhabited, half-abandoned - two children and their father are dead. The mother is on her way to intensive care. Scorcher Kennedy is given the case because he is the Murder squad’s star detective. At first he and his rookie partner, Richie, think this is a simple one: Pat Spain was a casualty of the recession, so he killed his children, tried to kill his wife Jenny, and finished off with himself. But there are too many inexplicable details and the evidence is pointing in two directions at once.

Scorcher’s personal life is tugging for his attention. Seeing the case on the news has sent his sister Dina off the rails again, and she’s resurrecting something that Scorcher thought he had tightly under control: what happened to their family, one summer at Broken Harbour, back when they were children. The neat compartments of his life are breaking down, and the sudden tangle of work and family is putting both at risk . . .

Don't know about Tana French?! Who are you?!? Where have you been?!? 

Take a peek at my reviews of her first three novels (and then read them and love them):

A Review: In the Woods by Tana French

A Review: The Likeness by Tana French

 A Review: Faithful Place by Tana French

Already read it? Don't tell me because I'm jealous. But seriously. What'd you think?

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A Review: The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

"As Jack knelt in the bloody snow, he wondered if that was how a man held up his end of the bargain, by learning and taking into his heart this strange wilderness-- guarded and naked, violent and meek, tremulous in its greatness." 

IF you feel like you need to grab something to cap off that uneventful winter before heading into spring.. do it.  IF you feel like you've always wanted to pack it up and live out of a log cabin IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.. do it.  IF you enjoy hunting, or snow, or the cold, or trees or anything remotely associated with those listed previously.. do it. 

Seriously.

Set in the late 19th century, Jack and Mabel have moved to Alaska in hopes of taming the wilderness and setting up a homestead. The move, a chance for Jack to try his hand at a different landscape, is more of an attempt to escape the painful memories, for Mabel. Desperately in want of a child of her own, Mabel's grief is only heightened by the harsh landscape in which she finds herself surrounded. However, the two find their lives changed when they see a flutter amidst the snow once morning.  Faina, the snow child, mysteriously appears from the wood one morning, quickly becoming a source of joy and distress for the couple. 

The story moves at a slower pace than many of the books you often find topping the lists of most anticipated novels. However, the beautiful detail of the harsh, Alaskan landscape during this period of time is quite captivating.  Senses alive, I could feel the crisp, cool air and the flutter of slowly falling snow flakes. And while Ivey may have simplified some of the more taxing issues present in this lifestyle, I felt that she also provided another, more gentle perspective of this vast, untamed land. And believe it was completely intentional, as the audience understands Mabel and Jack's desire to make the best of the situation, to accept their lot and move forward with their lives.

However, as uplifting as this may appear, The Snow Child is filled with despairing content. The story is told through the eyes of both Jack and Mabel. While we understand the creeping depression that is always attempting to overcome Mabel, and see the same situations through Jack's eyes in a different light, there's an understanding that both are deeply affected by years of suppressed grief and regret. This element strongly draws attention to the intimacy and secrecy that coexists in a relationship. Furthermore, while Faina brings hope and enthusiasm to their lives, this happiness is fleeting for the majority of the novel.

The cast of characters, lovable in their own right, made it much easier for me to invest the time (leaving me wishing the story would never end). While I'll admit that elements of the story left me with more questions than answers, I felt there was a lot to learn in such a short novel.  The importance of friendships, and love, and faith in oneself/partner are all examined here.

Ivey seamlessly weaves fantasy and realism together to create a tale that is far from anything I've picked up lately. I'll be the first to admit that I'm generally not a fan of this type of writing, but it definitely worked here. I enjoyed the references to the Russian folklore and look forward to uncovering more about the original.

If you're looking for a fast-paced, pick-me-up I'd skip it for now... but you're certainly missing out on something special. 

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Favorite Reads of 2011: A Mid-Year Review

When I was a child I was told that as I grew older the years would begin to flash before my eyes, rushing past so quickly that I'd barely have time to grasp the subtleties that presented themselves before me.  While I agree that time seems to be more hurried, I also have days that seem to (so wonderfully) stretch before me.  Some of these days I'm busy getting in all the things I can't do when working, or spending time with my loved ones, but sometimes I get the chance to sit and read for as long as I wish.

Because I featured my favorite reads at the close of the following year, I felt it only right to provide a little mid-year review of six titles that I just couldn't put down.  I'm also excited to share that I've already read three books more than I did in all of 2010.  Goals!

1. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Mysteries and secrets.  Secrets and mysteries.  I'm kidding, but this novel sucked me in.  I distinctly remember my boyfriend having to pull me out of the groove of the couch I found myself in after not getting off the thing for hours.  In the end, you still have questions.  It was dark and fascinating and an awesome thriller.  All hands for The Thirteenth Tale.

2. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

I don't know if any of you remember, but a while back, Brenna from Literary Musings and I decided to host a little read-along.  The book was a little slow in the beginning, but I soon found that I didn't want to stop reading once I began the second half.  We got some great participation and were able to share our opinions and questions, which made the read even more enjoyable.  Edith Wharton is seriously amazing.

3. Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran

Another book that I couldn't peel my hands from and one that I mention as a "must read" to any bookworm I encounter.  I have this thing for historical fiction (as you probably already know) and thought this was perfectly entertaining and informative.  The cover art not so much.

4. The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen

I know, I know. I haven't managed to post a review on this one yet.  But it has definitely been one of the best reads of 2011.  The storyline was not quite what I expected and made the novel that much better.  Maybe Milly and Twiss are described as old women who nurse birds back to health, but this title holds so much more.  I found Rasmussen's language authentic and engaging.  I strongly encourage giving this title a chance!

5. The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent

I finished this novel last night.  And loved it.  I refused to give it up upon finding that the beginning was a little slow.  In the end, I am so glad I stuck with it because not only did I enjoy the historical element of the storyline, but I also really enjoyed the raw expression of emotions and the landscape Kent so delicately describes.  I didn't want this one to end.  

6. Shakespeare by Bill Bryson

Ok, so maybe I read this one during haze that follows the extraction of my wisdom teeth, but somehow I was able to remain attentive enough to finish the whole thing in a sitting.  Bryson is increasingly becoming a go-to when it comes to learning while laughing.


So close to making the list: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath & The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Anne Barrows

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Orange Prize Long-List Announced

As a fan of fiction, a fan of empowered and intelligent women, and prizes that celebrate the two, how would I not be all over the Orange Prize for Fiction?  Yes, it's truly incredible.  The Orange Prize, which was created in 1996, exists to celebrate and promote the work of outstanding females who write fiction in the English language.

So what does the longlist look like?

Lyrics Alley by Leila Aboulela (Weidenfeld & Nicolson) - Sudanese; 3rd Novel

Jamrach's Menagerie by Carol Birch (Canongate) - British; 10th Novel

Room by Emma Donoghue (Picador) - Irish; 7th Novel

The Pleasure Seekers by Tishani Doshi (Bloomsbury) - Indian; 1st Novel

Whatever You Love by Louise Doughty (Faber and Faber) - British; 6th Novel

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan (Corsair) - American; 4th Novel

The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna (Bloomsbury) - British/Sierra Leonean; 3rd Novel

The London Train by Tessa Hadley (Jonathan Cape) - British; 4th Novel

Grace Williams Says it Loud by Emma Henderson (Sceptre) - British; 1st Novel

The Seas by Samantha Hunt (Corsair) - American; 1st Novel

The Birth of Love by Joanna Kavenna (Faber and Faber) - British; 2nd Novel

Great House by Nicole Krauss (Viking) - American; 3rd Novel

The Road to Wanting by Wendy Law-Yone (Chatto & Windus) - American; 3rd Novel

The Tiger's Wife by Téa Obreht (Weidenfeld & Nicolson) - Serbian/American; 1st Novel

The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer (Viking) - American; 1st Novel

Repeat it Today with Tears by Anne Peile (Serpent's Tail) - British; 1st Novel

Swamplandia! by Karen Russell (Chatto & Windus) - American; 1st Novel

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by Lola Shoneyin (Serpent's Tail) - British/Nigerian; 1st Novel

The Swimmer by Roma Tearne (Harper Press) - British; 4th Novel

Annabel by Kathleen Winter (Jonathan Cape) - Canadian; 1st Novel

(Info taken from the Orange prize homepage)

After Farmlane Books and nomadreader announced their predictions for this year's list, I went through to see how many I'd read, and was contemplating reading in the future.  Upon seeing these, and following the announcement of the official list, I've realized I have a lot of reading to do.  Out of the 20 titles chosen, I've only completed one novel, Emma Donoghue's Room. And I managed to complete only half of Nicole Krauss's Great House, before I realized I was in over my head with reading obligations and haven't picked it up since. Shame. 

While I'm sure all are terrific, there are so many things going on that I'll probably only have the opportunity to pick up a few before the announcement of the shortlist on April 12th. 

Some I'll be grabbing from the list:

The Tiger's Wife by Téa Obreht
The London Train by Tessa Hadley
The Birth of Love by Joanna Kavenna
The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer

 Read any of these titles?  Feel free to share your favorites, thoughts and/or predictions for the short list! 

Photo: Taken from the Orange Prize list page. 

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A Review: Emma Donoghue's Room

Emma Donoghue’s Room was my reading group’s February book pick.  Although the title is still only available in hardback, the entire group was so interested in the story that we decided to set the paperback rule aside and go for it.  To date, Room has really outdone most of the discussions we’ve had with other titles.  I think that really says something. 

I’ll spare you the details of the hype; if you’re a true bookworm you’ve heard the title mentioned again and again and AGAIN.  Some of you might even have decided against reading it because of this hype, but let me be clear—it’s truly a unique piece of literature.

I hate writing reviews that give you the rundown of the story—read the book to discover these details. 

The premise, like Nabokov’s Lolita, is a disturbingly sensitive subject.  Jack, a 5 year-old-boy, lives in a room where he’s held captive, along with his Mother.  The narrative explores the day to day happenings of such an existence.  Donoghue relates the curiosity and ignorance of a child of Jack’s age perfectly. The story, told exclusively through the eyes of young Jack, is much more palatable.  The topic is almost innocent, when told through Jack’s perspective, as he is completely unable to understand the situation he is actually living.  The novel explores relationships between mother and child, family and loss, violence and power.  With the voice of a 5-year-old relating this, there are many gaps to be filled, situations to be digested and worked through.  There were definitely moments of strong social commentary and desensitization that were disheartening.    

Given the subject matter, there were times when I faced conflict over enjoying the book, especially when I was faced with situations that worked to bring the piece to the climax.  There were times when I felt slightly uncomfortable in desiring the novel to progress, but reminded myself that the novel was, of course, a fictional account. Donoghue’s talent is abundantly apparent, and her style is effective.   

To truly hash through these points, you’d have to read the book.  I strongly encourage those who have been considering the title to pick it up for argument’s sake

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TBR: Six Months of Titles

I'm sure that I've mentioned that, in addition to this lovely little blog, and that lovely little Classics Challenge I signed up for, and that lovely little Read-Along I decided to host- whew! breather, I also lead/co-lead two reading groups in the Atlanta area.  The first, I created to meet people in the area who enjoyed reading and socializing; the second, I created when I became a volunteer with a local women's health center.  Both have offered me so much more than I ever could have imagined.  I've been lucky enough to be apart of two group of females that are uber-intelligent and great to be around!  Thanks, guys!

It's fun but it's not always easy. Shocker: choosing selections for book clubs can sometimes be the hardest part of the whole ordeal!

Will everyone like it?  Would this generate meaningful discussion?  Is this out in paperback? If not, is everyone willing to shell out the big bucks for hardback copies?  Will this particular title be too short/long for everyone?  

It's work.  But I love doing it!

In order to avoid this pesky task we decided to each select one book that we really wanted to read and toss it in a hat (it was actually a coffee cup that was for sale at the shop because we sort of forgot the hat).  It was quite exciting to see what books people had been waiting to suggest.  I thought I'd post a little blurb on the books that were selected and will appear on my TBR calendar for the next six months.

Here goes:

MARCH

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

April we'll be taking a little break because two of our lovely ladies are tying the knot!  I can't wait to read and share!  What's in your TBR list?  Feeling overwhelmed?  It's ok--I think that's only natural! 

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A Review: The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman

The Cookbook Collector was one title I sought for quite some time before receiving it as a Christmas gift last December.  Aside from the fact that the story focused on two sisters, with opposite personalities, and a likening to Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, I didn’t know what the plot of the text would offer. 

I’ve tried, increasingly, to walk away from books that don’t encourage any sort of attachment; yet, I find that some titles are really hard to put down.  The Cookbook Collector is one of those titles. 

I can’t say I particularly gushed over the novel when talking with friends.  I suggested they might read it, because the storyline was interesting enough, and it definitely had something to say about American culture and the boom of the dotcom industry in the late 90s.

So, where do I begin?

So many issues for a four hundred page book.  So many characters.

I’ll admit that at points I found it difficult to remember certain characters and their relationship to the main ensemble. I found that there were so many ideals wrapped into a such a tiny package. The author bombards the reader with many sudden realizations: Emily’s rise to multimillionaire status overnight; Jess and her dependence on others for identity, as well as, her struggle to be taken seriously; George and his lack of love; Jonathan and his inability to stay true to his word even if means not being on top; Orion and his, well, that guy had so much going on.  The author discusses many cultural issues/social developments, such as: the rise of the internet domain, September 11^th, gay rights, environmentalism and veganism.  Meanwhile, each character is dealing with their own inner turmoil created by the development of issues, like: the pressure to stay ahead of the curve, the inability to define one’s self/stand up for one’s goals, death and loss, maintaining relationships, trust, identity, etc.  It’s almost overwhelming witnessing the rollercoaster of emotions experienced by each of the six key players.

Then, there’s the fact that the author almost loses me with a cast of borderline ridiculous female characters.

Meet Emily, an MIT graduate, that's involved in the revolution of data storage, in a relationship with Jonathan, who is on his way to becoming equally succesful. While the audience is never led to believe that Emily’s company is less successful than Jonathan’s, she, for whatever reason, is the individual walking away from her CEO position to start a family, purchase a home and move across the country to be with him.  She faces this very difficult position, although not developed for certain reasons, when she must decide if she wants a family or she wants to continue working.  Although these issues were more relevant at this period, when America saw a shift of housewives leaving homes for corporate positions, it was disappointing to see such a powerful female figure second guessing her decision to follow through with her own goals once faced with a terrible tragedy. Perhaps realistic, but also disheartening.

Jess, Emily’s sister, is quite the opposite. She’s alienated by her father for leading a “lackadaisical” life, spending her days in Berkeley reading about the lives of Hegel and Kant.  She studies philosophy and is an active environmentalist, living in a “tree house” commune of sorts, whose organizers chain themselves to trees while starving, and nests in the canopies of the redwoods.  Jess is also noted as moving from relationship to relationship, desiring passion, or just someone to share in her ideals.  She’s sensitive, intelligent and interested in the ways of the world outside of her bubble.  She is portrayed as impractical, and again, ostracized for harboring interests in the humanities, as opposed to the very practical, mathematical/money-making experiences her father and sister enjoy.  The generally accepted notion that philanthropic endeavors are not as legitimate as other career endeavors, or even, practical modes of thinking in terms of participating in the global landscape, is quite on point.  However, the author displays Jess as capricious and somewhat unsure that she’s actually passionate about any of her interests.  Jess’s identity confusion, while typical, is almost a cartoon. Jess never faces her fears, she leaves the canopy after a dizzy spell, and retreats.

I enjoyed the dialogue between the characters.  I liked the author’s presentation of the inner turmoil resounding with each character, and her exercise of multiple perspectives, while intense and only slightly confusing, was realistic and believable.   

I feel the author tried to tackle too many issues in one volume; although, I respected the references to the previous two decades.  I almost feel you could compare the work to Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina; however, I am by no means saying that The Cookbook Collector measures up to the great classical work. Of course, Tolstoy’s use of language and description is superior by a long shot, the fact that both texts explore individual emotions that run parallel to societal shifts at such lengths is quite similar.

All in all, I enjoyed the novel.

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Andrea Levy's The Long Song: A Review

In an attempt to get a good feel for the Man Booker Prize nominations, I purchased *Emma Donoghue’s Room, reserved *Andrea Levy’s The Long Song and Paul Murray’s Skippy Dies from the library. So far, with other reading engagements, I’ve only finished The Long Song at this point in time. Hopeful I can complete the others before the announcement of the award’s winner, I'm at least satisfied that I got to this one.

Title: The Long Song

Author: Andrea Levy

Publisher: Farrarm, Strauss and Giroux

Release Date: 04.27.2010
Hardcover, 320 Pgs.

Summary:  The Long Song is a fictional narrative of a slave woman, July, on a sugar plantation in Jamaica, shortly before the abolishment of slavery in the country.  July, a cunning and strong woman, has become a house lady when her owner's sister, a Mrs. Caroline Mortimer, develops an attachment with the young girl.  Serving in the home, July recounts the treatment of slaves of her status, noting the heirarchy that exists between the masters and the slaves, themselves.  Furthermore, July documents the coming days of the slave revolts and ultimate freedom.  However, like many slaves at this time, after her freedom is offered she remains tied to the land. July, sharp and bright, is fancied by Mortimer's newest overseer, a Robert Goodwin, and a redoubtable affair ensues. The novel provides many twists and turns that are often times unexpected.  The dismal content is coupled with a humorous narrative tone that breathes life into our protagonist.  The author sheds light on acts of barbery, while highlighting the composure of our narrator to exhibit the preserverence her character exudes.  The content is graphic and disturbing at times, and used as a device to emphasize the reality of such conditions. 

My thoughts: I highly recommend this novel.  It's historical content is thought-provoking, and it's narrator's wit is certainly entertaining. 

*These titles have been announced as candidates on the Man Booker Prize shortlist.  The award recipient will be announced Tuesday, October 12th.  More information about the Man Booker Prize can be found here.

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