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

Summary:

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

Review:

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

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

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

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

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Boats in the harbor at Waiheke Island

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

Summary:

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

Review:

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

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

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

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

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

Summary:

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

Review:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reviews posted this week:

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

Summary:

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

Review:

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

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

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

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

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

Summary:

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

Review:

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

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

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

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

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

Summary:

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

Review:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Summary:

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

Review:s

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

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

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

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

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