The Women Unbound Reading Challenge is aimed at encouraging readers to read books about “women’s studies.”  The challenge can include both fiction and non-fiction books.  It runs from November 1, 2009 – November 30, 2010 and is hosted by Eva at A Striped Armchair.  The challenge itself has its own website, so if you want more information, definitely go and check out Women Unbound.

I am entering the challenge as a suffragette, which means I will be reading 8 books before the end of the challenge, with three of those being non-fiction.  There’s no requirement to make a list beforehand.

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Title: The Wordy Shipmates
Author: Sarah Vowell
ISBN: 9781594489990
Pages: 272
Release Date: October 7, 2008
Publisher: Riverhead
Genre: Non-Fiction, History
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

The Wordy Shipmates is Sarah Vowell’s unique look at the Puritans, the founders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.  She explores what it means to be a “Puritan” nation and what their history and culture means for the present-day United States with witty insights and her sharp sense of humor.

Review:

The Wordy Shipmates isn’t like any history book you’ve read before.  Instead of a dry, long-winded book about the history of the Puritans and their settling of Massachusetts, this is a funny and insightful look at a period in history which doesn’t get a lot of attention.  Vowell is clearly enthusiastic about the Puritans; she’s fascinated by them, and that emotion is passed along to the reader. 

Vowell uses the Puritans as a metaphor for today’s society.  She connects modern day society to the Puritans to help the reader see this impressive and often misunderstood group of people.  Additionally, she helps the reader understand more about what’s going on today through her discussion of the Puritans.  It’s clear that Sarah Vowell did a lot of research in order to write this book – there are a lot of facts within its pages, which she spruces up through pop-culture references.

Though The Wordy Shipmates is on one single topic, it’s best to treat each of the chapters as individual essays.  Vowell has a tendency to repeat herself, and that can get frustrating if you are reading the book cover to cover.  Additionally, each of the chapters is on a different period of Puritan history or culture, so it works much better as a group of essays with a common theme.

The most interesting part of The Wordy Shipmates is when Vowell addresses John Winthrop’s “City on a Hill” speech.  She traces the numerous times the speech has been used in American history and details how it has been re-interpreted, so that the current meaning is different than the original.  It’s a very interesting discussion.

I enjoyed The Wordy Shipmates and will definitely be looking out for Sarah Vowell’s other books.  This was my first Sarah Vowell book, and I’ve heard that her other books are even funnier, so I can’t wait to pick them up!

I reviewed the Book Buddy earlier this year, so when Reading Comfort asked me to review another one of their products, I jumped at the chance to review their Lap Blanket.  I received one in Floral Sienna.

I wasn’t sure about these blankets when I was looking at them online because they look stiff and formal.  However, I was pleasantly surprised by my blanket – the underside is made of a soft material and it was quite cozy.  It’s also heavy, which means it’s well suited to a cold winter’s day.

The best part about the blanket?  You can buy a matching Book Buddy, so that if you decide to display both together, they look great.  The patterns are pretty, which means you can leave the blanket draped over a couch or chair and it won’t look out of place.

The lap blankets are $39.95 from Reading Comfort, and you can pair one with a Book Buddy for only $15 more.

This product was sent to me for free to review by Reading Comfort.

Title: Cleopatra’s Daughter
Author: Michelle Moran
ISBN: 9780307409126
Pages: 448
Release Date: September 15, 2009
Publisher: Crown
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Author
Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:

Cleopatra’s Daughter is the story of Kleopatra Selene, the daughter of the famed Queen of Egypt and her husband, Marc Anthony.  After her mother’s death, Selene and her twin brother Alexander are taken to Rome by Octavian.  There, they will take part in Octavian’s Triumph, in which they will be paraded through the streets of Rome as prisoners.  But what will happen to Selene and Alexander after it’s over?  After all, royal prisoners usually aren’t allowed to live once a Triumph is completed. 

Review:

Michelle Moran has proven herself a master of historical fiction with Nefertiti and The Heretic Queen.  Now, in Cleopatra’s Daughter, she shows us that Egyptian history isn’t the only period of time she can write about effectively.  Cleopatra’s Daughter takes us to Ancient Rome - to the Circus Maximus, the Pantheon, and the steps of the Roman Senate. 

Kleopatra Selene is a wonderfully written character.  She’s so young when the novel begins, yet throughout it she seems older than her years.  This is not to say that she’s poorly written, but that, as Moran points out in her author’s note, she is one of the best educated children of her time.  This makes her incredibly easy to like and identify with, regardless of what age the reader is.  However, her intelligence and precociousness doesn’t make her less vulnerable or less human.  She is worried for her brother and has been torn from all she knows at the beginning of the book.  She is concerned for her future and doesn’t know who she can trust.  She definitely makes some poor choices through the novel, but it’s never annoying.  It’s part of growing up and understanding her situation.

Because of Kleopatra Selene’s age, this novel will appeal to both fans of YA and adult fiction.  With the ubiquitousness and popularity of YA novels these days, Moran did an ingenious thing in making her main character so accessible to different ages.  This is a book that anyone of almost any age can enjoy.

As Moran has demonstrated previously in her novels, she is an avid researcher who is meticulous with her historical details.  She really creates an amazing atmosphere for the reader.  I could smell the horrible stenches of Ancient Rome, feel the silks Selene was wearing on my skin, and hear the anguish in the air of slaves being mistreated.  I love how vivid the entire novel was in my mind because of Moran’s attention to those little details that are so easy to overlook.  And as always, there is an author’s note in the back of Cleopatra’s Daughter if you want to separate what was real from what Moran chose to embellish.

I also enjoyed the subplot in Cleopatra’s Daughter involving slavery.  Michelle Moran takes on a lot of ethical issues in this novel, and she does it incredibly well.  She is never preachy, and never hits the reader over her head with her interpretation of these issues.  Instead, she uses Selene as her voice, discussing these problems through her main character’s eyes.

I absolutely adored Cleopatra’s Daughter and simply cannot wait for Michelle Moran’s next historical fiction novel (I would love a sequel to this one, if possible!).  She has become one of my favorite authors and I cannot praise her novels highly enough!

Title: Learning to Breathe
Author: Karen White
ISBN: 9780451220349
Pages: 320
Release Date: March 5, 2007
Publisher: NAL Trade
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Brenna O'Brien can't take another blind date.  She knows her sisters mean well, but just because they are all married and she's not doesn't mean they need to set her up.  She likes living alone and playing it safe.  Her job running a historic movie theater keeps her content - she doesn't need any more disappointments in her life.  But when Pierce, the old flame that abandoned Brenna a long time ago comes back to town, all of her resolve is tested. 

Review:
 
Learning to Breathe is a wonderful Southern women's fiction novel that is both amusing and heartwarming.  Brenna, the main character, is very easy to like.  She is vulnerable, so she has closed herself off from everyone that could hurt her, especially Pierce.  She's much more interested in playing it safe than taking a chance on being happy.  It's wonderful to watch her grow and change over the course of her own novel.  When Brenna finally finds her own voice, it is beautiful to hear.

The mystery of the past within Learning to Breathe is well done, though the reader will likely figure out the answer long before Brenna does.  However, this is a rare instance where that isn't a frustration.  The driving force in this novel is Brenna's character development, not the mystery.  Readers continue on with the story because they want to see Brenna take control of her life and assert herself.  The slow revelation of the mystery's answer is part of this; Brenna grows and changes as she gets more clues about what is going on.  She figures out the mystery when she is ready to cope with the answer.

The description of the old movie theater that Brenna works at, as well as the other old buildings in town, is just an added bonus in Learning to Breathe.  Karen White's writing is cool and beautiful; she is an expert at writing details that evoke vivid images in the reader's mind.  It makes all of her books a joy to read.

Though Learning to Breathe isn't necessarily a mystery like The House on Tradd Street or The Memory of Water, it's still a wonderful piece of women's fiction that is definitely worth reading.  If you like Southern fiction or are a fan of Karen White, definitely pick this book up - you won't regret it!

Title: The Cupid Effect
Author: Dorothy Koomson
ISBN: 9780751539691
Pages: 320
Release Date: August 2, 2007
Publisher: Sphere
Genre: Chick Lit
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Ceri is a listener, there’s no doubt about it.  People come to her with their problems and she listens and dispenses advice.  However, where are all these people she helps out when she needs a shoulder to cry on?  It’s the downside of always listening to others, but not having anyone who’s willing to listen to you.

Now Ceri has left her life in London to become a lecturer at a university, and she has made a vow to stop listening to everyone, to stop being a matchmaker.  But she gets more than she bargains for with the new people she meets, and Ceri is left wondering if she is indeed a modern day cupid.

Review:

I love Dorothy Koomson’s novels.  From My Best Friend’s Girl to Marshmallows for Breakfast, they are always reliable reads that never fail to be both entertaining and completely gripping.  With The Cupid Effect, I was delighted to find a lighter novel than Koomson’s usual heart-wrenching fare.  While this is definitely an introspective, thought-provoking novel, it’s a lot less serious than her other books, which suited my mood perfectly.

I absolutely loved the character of Ceri.  She was so generous with her time and energy and gave all she could to her friends.  She was also easy to relate to – a lot of people feel like they give so much to their friends, yet receive little in return.  Additionally, you couldn’t help but sympathize with her frustration at being alone.  Everyone around her seemed to be finding love (or at least lust) – why was Ceri cursed to be alone?

I thought the premise of The Cupid Effect was incredibly interesting and unique.  I didn’t necessarily get that from the novel’s summary, and I didn’t hint at it in my summary either because I didn’t want to give away key plot points.  I’m not sure it was entirely believable, but it was definitely entertaining.  I like that Koomson took a chance with this novel and I think it really paid off. 

The Cupid Effect was an entertaining chick lit novel that I really enjoyed.  My only regret is that it’s not available in the US!  I got my copy of this book from the UK.  Happily, Koomson’s novels are starting to become available on this side of the pond, so hopefully this one comes out here soon!

The winners of my giveaway of The Last Dickens by Matthew Pearl:

Jim Carmin

Carol W.

Congratulations to both of you!

Title: Haunting Bombay
Author: Shilpa Agarwal
ISBN: 9781569475584
Pages: 368
Release Date: April 1, 2009
Publisher: Soho Press
Genre: Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery
Source: Curled Up With a Good Book
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Pinky Mittal was just a baby when her mother died. Coincidentally, right at the same time, Pinky’s uncle’s baby daughter died under mysterious circumstances. Bereft, Pinky’s grandmother forced her son’s family to take Pinky in, though she was never fully accepted as a member of the family.

Thirteen years later, Pinky unleashes horror on the household with one simple action – she unbolts the door of the bathroom where the Mittal baby died. Until that point, the baby’s ghost had been locked in the bathroom every night, unable to do anything to those she blames for her death. But once Pinky lets her out, the Mittal family is forced to face some hard truths about their past and the way they presently live their lives, while Pinky tries to understand what really happened to the baby the night she died.

Review:

Shilpa Agarwal’s Haunting Bombay is an extremely unique novel about India. It’s difficult to categorize it – on one hand, it’s a masterpiece of multicultural fiction, giving the reader an eye into Indian culture and values. For example, the fact that Maji, Pinky’s grandmother, lives in a house with her son’s family is perfectly normal within Indian culture, though Agarwal never discusses it – it’s just an accepted fact of life. It manages to teach the reader without being blatant. Additionally, Agarwal manages to provide a social commentary throughout the novel – it’s sometimes difficult to pick up on, but she does an extraordinary job of revealing the injustices and prejudices that exist within Indian society. Though Haunting Bombay takes place in the 1960’s, the commentary is still relevant today. The ending of the novel is especially telling.

However, at its core, Haunting Bombay is also a ghost story. Agarwal does a wonderful job of keeping the reader on edge, unsure of what is going to come next. There is a level of unease that permeates this entire novel. The ghost story aspect of it is what really made it unique, and she handled it very gracefully. This entire novel is riddled with superstition, so including ghosts merely takes what is already present in the novel (and in Indian society) one step further. As a result, this does not come across as a fantasy novel, or one that includes magical realism. Agarwal handles the ghost story very realistically, and it is that much more compelling as a result.

Agarwal’s writing is also very beautiful in Haunting Bombay. It is difficult to tell that this is her first novel – her prose has the skill and confidence of a master of the craft. Her words have a wonderful rhythm; they make this book a real joy to read. Additionally, her style of adds to the theme of the novel. One of the central images in Haunting Bombay is water, both its life-giving and life threatening properties. The writing in this novel reminds me of smooth, calming, flowing water – it works incredibly well with the story.

Haunting Bombay is a wonderful work of literary fiction for anyone interested in learning about other cultures or in mysteries. This is a compulsively readable novel - once you pick it up, you shouldn’t plan on putting it down until the book is over.

Title: The Queen’s Mistake: In the Court of Henry VIII
Author: Diane Haeger
ISBN: 9780451228000
Pages: 416
Release Date: October 6, 2009
Publisher: NAL Trade
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Catherine Howard was a silly girl living in the countryside, away from the temptations of court. Still, she managed to find plenty of excitement from the people living with her at her grandmother’s. But when her uncle, the Duke of Norfolk, decides that she should come to court in order to make a favorable match that will advance her family, Catherine becomes an unwitting pawn in her uncle’s quest for power.

Review:

I haven’t read much about Henry VIII’s fifth wife Catherine Howard, so I was eager to pick up Diane Haeger’s new novel The Queen’s Mistake. I was curious as to how Haeger would portray Catherine Howard, considering she’s generally accepted to have been a stupid young girl more interested in pretty clothes than anything else. She lost her head because of her indiscretions with men and her infidelity to the King.

Surprisingly, Haeger actually made Catherine Howard a sympathetic character while still staying true to her known flaws. Catherine isn’t necessarily stupid, but she is naive. She doesn’t realize what she is getting herself into by going to court – all she thinks of is escaping from the boring countryside and her grandmother’s iron fist. It’s clear that she’s being manipulated by those who should care for her, and it makes her whole situation sad.

At the same time, Catherine does sleep around a lot, which makes her kind of an irritating character. It’s not clear why she has sex with all these men besides sheer boredom (with some manipulation thrown in), so it’s difficult to understand. Additionally, sometimes she knows exactly what’s at stake and other times she’s a vapid girl who doesn’t think about the consequences of her actions. It seems like Haeger wanted to make Catherine a sympathetic, layered character while still staying true to historical descriptions of her. She had quite a difficult task on her hands, and did a commendable job with what she had.

The story of The Queen’s Mistake is engaging and suspenseful, despite the fact that the reader is aware of Catherine’s fate at the end of the book. By focusing on Catherine Howard’s life, rather than her arrest and execution, Diane Haeger was able to create an interesting and unique story. Additionally, her author’s note does state she stayed true to historical events, though she says she did embellish some sub-plots.

The Queen’s Mistake was a fun historical fiction novel that was quick and easy to read. I recommend this novel to fans of historical fiction, as well as those who want to know more about Catherine Howard.

Title: A Map of the Known World
Author: Lisa Ann Sandell
ISBN: 9780545069700
Pages: 272
Release Date: April 15, 2009
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Genre: Teen/YA
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Cora’s life as she knew it ended the day her brother, Nate, was killed in a car accident.  Her once loving family completely shut down.  While once they enjoyed spending time together (at least Cora and her parents did – Nate had become increasingly bitter and rebellious prior to his death), they no longer know how to function as a family.  Cora’s father spends all his time in the basement alone, while Cora’s mother won’t let Cora out of her sight.  She’s not allowed to be out after dark, even with other parents around.  Cora wants to come to terms with her brother’s death, but can’t while her mother’s paranoia is suffocating her.  She seeks solace in her artwork and through Nate’s friend Damian, begins to understand her complicated and troubled brother through ways she never dreamed of while he was alive.

Review:

A Map of the Known World has a lot of strong points, not the least of which are the main characters, Cora and Damian.  They are incredibly well developed and intricately crafted, to the point where they seem like real people.  They are both damaged and fragile, though they express their insecurities in different ways.  They don’t know how to heal after Nate’s death so they reach out to one another. 

I absolutely loved the role of artwork in this novel.  Lisa Ann Sandell describes the art so vividly, so that the reader can picture it in their mind.  Cora and Damian both use their artwork to deal with their emotions.  Cora deals with her frustration with her parents, her difficulties at school, and her sadness at Nate’s death through her art.  She also gets to know Nate and understand him a little better through his artwork, art that she never even knew he was making while he was alive.

The map metaphor in A Map of the Known World was also very interesting.  The reader could feel Cora’s desperation, her need to travel.  Her mom trapped her inside the house, but Cora was yearning to break free.  She wanted to live for both herself and Nate.

A Map of the Known World was a thoroughly enjoyable YA read.  It captures the reader’s emotions perfectly, as they race through the pages to discover what happens to Cora and whether she finally comes to terms with Nate’s death.  It’s a great book that I highly recommend to any fans of teen fiction.

Well, another read-a-thon has come and gone!  I have to admit, I didn’t really put a priority on reading as much as I possibly could this time.  That’s not to say I wasn’t satisfied with my progress, I’m very happy with how I did!  But I didn’t want to burn out on blogging or reading, plus I wanted to spend time with my husband.  If I lost interest in reading for awhile, I got up and hung out with my husband.  As a result, I feel like I had a lot of fun, and I also got a great number of books read.  I actually quit in hour 17 (though the lovely read-a-thon people picked me as a “reader of the hour” in hour 20 since I didn’t post that I wasn’t reading – whoops!).  I watched another movie with my husband and had all intentions of coming back after it was over, but I was exhausted by that point.

Total Books Read: 11
Books Read: The Season – Sarah MacLean, At a Loss for Words – Diana Schomperlen, Queen Takes King – Gigi Levangie Grazer, French Milk – Lucy Knisley, The Demon King and I – Candace Havens, The Weight of Water – Anita Shreve, The Teashop Girls – Laura Schaefer, I Feel Bad About My Neck – Nora Ephron, Angel Lane – Sheila Roberts, Tales of Beedle the Bard – J.K. Rowling, Lovestruck Summer – Melissa Walker
Unfinished Books: Househusband – Ad Hudler, Everything I Needed To Know About Being a Girl, I Learned From Judy Blume – Jennifer O’Connell
Total Pages Read: 3020
Total Time Spent Reading: 555 minutes
Total: Mini-Challenges: 0
Pages/Minute Average: 5.4 pages/minute

I came back at about 5 minutes past hour 15, a little later than I’d planned but I enjoyed the movie! I have to admit, I’m not sure how long I’ll continue reading.

Reading Now: Househusband – Ad Hudler
Pages Read Since Last Update: 352
Books Read Since Last Update: The Season – Sarah MacLean
Time Spent Blogging: 0 minutes
Time Spent Reading: 55 minutes
Mini-Challenges: 0

Total Books Read: 11
Total Pages Read: 2974
Total Time Spent Reading: 540 minutes
Total: Mini-Challenges: 0
Pages/Minute Average: 5.5 pages/minute

I’m still going strong, though I did take some time off in hour 10 to bake some snacks!  Right now, I’m going to take a break for a few hours to have dinner and watch a movie with my very patient and dear husband, who has been working late all week and barely has spent any time with me, yet was incredibly supportive about me spending all day reading today! (Whew, that was a long sentence).  I’ll see you guys again at Hour 15, if I’m back by then.

Reading Now: The Season – Sarah MacLean
Pages Read Since Last Update: 862
Books Read Since Last Update: At a Loss for Words – Diana Schomperlen, Queen Takes King – Gigi Levangie Grazer, French Milk – Lucy Knisley, The Demon King and I – Candace Havens
Time Spent Blogging: 10 minutes
Time Spent Reading: 150 minutes
Mini-Challenges: 0

Total Books Read: 10
Total Pages Read: 2622
Total Time Spent Reading: 485 minutes
Total: Mini-Challenges: 0
Pages/Minute Average: 5.4 pages/minute

The reading is still going well – I can’t believe how fast the time is flying!  I took off hour 7 in order to take a nap, and I’m feeling pretty refreshed.  I actually ended up putting a book that I’d started down after 100 pages because it wasn’t keeping my interest, and I’m glad I did.  I think the book is probably good (it’s a book of essays about Judy Blume), but it’s just not read-a-thon material.

Reading Now: Queen Takes King by Gigi Levangie Grazer (yes, still)
Pages Read Since Last Update: 646 
Books Read Since Last Update: The Weight of Water – Anita Shreve, The Teashop Girls – Laura Schaefer
Time Spent Blogging: 10 minutes
Time Spent Reading: 110 minutes
Mini-Challenges: 0

Total Books Read: 6
Total Pages Read: 1660
Total Time Spent Reading: 335 minutes
Total: Mini-Challenges: 0
Pages/Minute Average: 4.95 pages/minute

 

We’re just beginning hour 6 of the read-a-thon, and things have been going pretty well, other than hour 4.  Our computer was having trouble printing and my husband needed to get some work done, so I spent about 40 minutes playing with it until I was able to fix it.  My husband has stepped out to get some lunch for us so I can keep reading!

Reading Now: Queen Takes King – Gigi Levangie Grazer
Pages Read Since Last Update: 537
Books Read Since Last Update: I Feel Bad About My Neck – Nora Ephron, Angel Lane – Sheila Roberts
Time Spent Blogging: 15 min
Time Spent Reading: 125 minutes
Mini-Challenges: 0

Total Books Read: 4
Total Pages Read: 1014
Total Time Spent Reading: 225 minutes
Total: Mini-Challenges: 0
Pages/Minute Average: 4.5 pages/minute

Well, it’s the beginning of Hour 3 and I’m feeling pretty good so far! I ate a bowl of cereal this morning and I’m planning on getting something to drink as soon as I finish updating.  I also managed to quickly clean the kitchen during Hour 2 – it was messy and I couldn’t concentrate on reading knowing that!

Reading Now: Queen Takes King – Gigi Levangie Grazer, I Feel Bad About My Neck – Nora Ephron
Pages Read This Hour: 255
Books Read Since Last Update: Tales of Beedle the Bard – J.K. Rowling, Lovestruck Summer – Melissa Walker
Time Spent Blogging: 10 min
Time Spent Reading: 100 min
Mini-Challenges: 0

Total Books Read: 2
Total Pages Read: 477
Total Time Spent Reading: 100 min
Total: Mini-Challenges: 0
Pages/Minute Average: 4.7 pages/minute

I am curled up in my favorite reading chair with my favorite blanket.  So it begins…

Reading Now: The Tales of Beedle the Bard – J.K. Rowling
Pages Read This Hour: 0
Books Read Since Last Update: 0
Time Spent Blogging: 0 min
Time Spent Reading: 0 min
Mini-Challenges: 0

Total Books Read: 0
Total Pages Read: 0
Total Time Spent Reading: 0 min
Total: Mini-Challenges: 0
Pages/Minute Average: 0 pages per minute

Well, it’s almost upon us – the 24-Hour Read-a-thon starts tomorrow at 8 AM ET!  I can’t wait!

As a word of warning to my subscribers who have absolutely no interest in the read-a-thon, I’m probably going to be posting at least 5 or 6 times about my progress.  If you have no interest in the read-a-thon, don’t worry.  I’m making it easy for you.  I’m not posting a new review until MONDAY morning.  So all you have to do is visit your RSS reader on Sunday and mark all the posts in my folder as read.

As far as strategy, I’ve decided to change it a little.  Last year, I pretty much focused on one book at a time.  But that’s not how I normally read – usually after reading one book cover to cover, I read parts of 2-3 other books, then read another book cover to cover.  I’ve decided to try mimicking that for the read-a-thon this year, which is why I’ll have multiple “What I’m Reading Now” books.

I’m also not going to update my blog every hour like I did last year.  I felt like I spent too much time blogging and not enough time reading!  Therefore, I might update once every two or three hours, but I will be tweeting throughout the event.  While I won’t have my Tweetdeck up, I’ll be monitoring the #readathon hashtag and any @ replies from TweetGrid.  (Basically, this means don’t DM me – I won’t see it!)

Well, that’s about it!  See you all bright and early tomorrow morning!

Title: Mistress of the Vatican
Author: Eleanor Herman
ISBN: 9780061245565
Pages: 496
Release Date: July 31, 2008
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Genre: Non-Fiction, History
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

From the publisher’s website:

Born without a dowry, nearly forced into a convent, and later married off to a man she didn't love, Olimpia Maidalchini vowed never to be poor, powerless, or beholden to any man again. Instead, using her wits, Olimpia became the unofficial ruler of the most powerful institution in the world: the Roman Catholic Church. 

The Church firmly states that women must be excluded from church leadership positions—but for more than a decade in the seventeenth century, Olimpia ran the Vatican. As sister-in-law and reputed mistress of the indecisive Pope Innocent X, she appointed cardinals, negotiated with foreign ambassadors, and helped herself to a heaping portion of the Papal States' treasury…This is the unforgettable story of a woman ahead of her time.
 
Mistress of the Vatican is a non-fiction account of the life of Olimpia Maidalchini, a woman who rose to power in the seventeenth century. Though there are hushed stories of a female Pope Joan in the early days of the Catholic Church, there is little in actual historical accounts about her. It isn’t clear whether there actually was a female pope – many, including Eleanor Herman, dismiss the tale as pure fantasy. However, Olimpia Maidalchini’s place is secure within history – there is no doubt she was real and was the power behind the papacy for over 10 years. This scandalous account is both shocking and thoroughly enjoyable.

While Olimpia is an entertaining person to structure a book around, she isn’t exactly likeable. She is ruthless and conniving; she schemes at every twist and turn in Mistress of the Vatican. No matter how much money and power she has, it is never enough. It’s not even about absolute power, but rather relative power. Olimpia had to have more power than anyone else around her. It’s the only way she felt safe, an insecurity that stemmed from her father trying to force her into a convent at a young age. But honestly, the fact that she was unlikeable doesn’t diminish enjoyment of the account at all. She’s that person you love to hate, incredulous at how greedy she can be.

Mistress of the Vatican is well-written and enjoyable. Eleanor Herman tells Olimpia’s story in a very relatable way. She uses anecdotes and entertaining stories to illustrate her points. However, you have to be very interested in history in order to enjoy this book. It’s definitely long and there is a lot of information contained within its pages. While it is impeccably well-researched and Herman tries to make it as fun as possible, it can be dry at times. Therefore, I wouldn’t recommend picking up this book if you’re only marginally interested in the subject matter.

Eleanor Herman’s book was a wonderful account of an amazing (though in some ways despicable) woman that was really ahead of her time. I really did like this book and recommend it for anyone interested in strong women or the history of the Catholic Church

Title: Pendragon’s Banner
Author: Helen Hollick
ISBN: 9781402218897
Pages: 496
Release Date: September 2009
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

In this sequel to The Kingmaking, Helen Hollick returns to the world of King Arthur and his attempts to unify the land of Britain through war and strife.  All of the characters from the previous book are here, from the lovely and strong-willed Gwenhyfar to the scheming Winifred, Arthur’s ex-wife who sees her son as Arthur’s heir, rather than Gwenhyfar’s three sons.  This is a wonderful portrayal of a real historical Arthur, rather than one of fantasy and legend. 

Review:

Helen Hollick’s The Kingmaking was an incredibly creative novel about King Arthur, and its sequel doesn’t disappoint.  Pendragon’s Banner continues in the vein of its prequel, portraying Arthur as a real man with serious flaws and no access to magic.  There is no Merlin in this novel – most of the tales within legend are there, but their explanations are based in reality.  Additionally, Arthur is not the king of shining moral example that legend portrays him to be.  He seems to sleep with every woman he comes across and his temper is something to cower from.  He can be incredibly frustrating at times, but he is real.  Hollick does a wonderful job of making Arthur a three-dimensional, true to life character.

There is a foreboding through Pendragon’s Banner, a sense that things aren’t as rosy as they seem.  There’s a lot of tragedy in this book.  At the beginning of the novel, it’s clear that Arthur barely has a grasp on his kingship and that it could slip through his fingers at any given moment.  However, as the novel progresses, Arthur settles down and the reader really sees the king of legend shine through.  It’s almost tragic because the reader knows it won’t last, and that everything will fall apart in the final novel of this trilogy.  Still, it’s nice to see some peace in Arthur and Gwenhyfar’s lives, even if it is fleeting.

Pendragon’s Banner is a long novel, and a complicated one.  There are a lot of characters and different storylines, which can be hard to keep track of at times.  However, Hollick does an excellent job keeping the reader hooked.  Despite the length, this is a book you won’t want to put down.  But because of the complicated nature of both these books, you should read them in order.  It’s been awhile since I’ve read The Kingmaking, so there were times I was a little lost because I forgot who a character was or couldn’t quite recall a storyline.  I can’t begin to imagine how lost you would be if you didn’t read these novels in order.

Pendragon’s Banner was a wonderful read, and I simply can’t wait until the final novel in the trilogy.  That being said, knowing how badly it will all end, I almost don’t want to read it just so I can live in Hollick’s world for a little bit longer!

Title: Every Last Cuckoo
Author: Kate Maloy
ISBN: 9781565126756
Pages: 304
Release Date: January 21, 2008
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Sarah Lucas’s husband Charles was critically injured on one of his daily walks in the woods behind their house.  When he succumbs to his injuries, Sarah is bereft – she and Charles were very much in love right until the very end.  As Sarah reflects on her life and the choices she made to lead her to this point, she allows her granddaughter to come live with her in order to escape some problems she is having at home.  Little does she know that is just the first of the lost souls she will take in, changing her life and their lives in the process.

Review:

My book club read Every Last Cuckoo in July, but since I was at Oxford during the meeting, I didn’t get around to reading it until now.  I knew that they all really enjoyed it, and generally I’ve heard good things, but I didn’t really know what to expect.  The fact that the main character was so much older than me made me hesitant as to whether I could sympathize with her or not.

I’m glad to say I needn’t have worried.  Every Last Cuckoo was a wonderfully written novel that was a thoroughly enjoyable read.  Sarah was a superb main character.  Despite the age difference, I could really identify with her.  She reflected on her life and her mistakes as the novel progressed, while also trying to build something new for herself. 

One thing I very much appreciated about Every Last Cuckoo was how real Sarah was.  Often in novels where the protagonist accepts people into her home, she is portrayed as a saint.  However, Sarah isn’t one – while she tries to do good things, she often gets frustrated by the number of people in her house.  She doesn’t especially want to mother a brood of people and makes sure they are looking after themselves.  She spends her time being increasingly selfish, but in a wonderful way.  Though she does open her home and her heart, Sarah makes sure she is putting herself and her needs, while not first, very high on her list. 

I also liked that Sarah wasn’t a perfect mother.  She admits to making mistakes with all of her children here and there and does her best to acknowledge them and move on.  The result is a startlingly real woman who is incredibly well fleshed out.  Sarah was a wonderful character, and I loved getting to know her.

Every Last Cuckoo is a sweet novel that’s really enjoyable and easy to read.  It’s hard to believe this is Kate Maloy’s debut novel, since the characters are so impeccably drawn and it’s so well-written.  I can’t wait to see what she does next.

Obviously I didn’t take this picture and am not creative enough to put it together (and it’s not exactly wordless).  But I had to share it anyways.

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Title: Hold Still
Author: Nina LaCour
ISBN: 9780525421559
Pages: 304
Release Date: October 20, 2009
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Genre: Teen/YA
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Caitlin doesn’t know how she’s going to keep herself going.  Her best friend, Ingrid, committed suicide and life just doesn’t feel right without her.  Caitlin is haunted by her memories of Ingrid, which are compounded by something that Ingrid left behind for her.

Caitlin tries to move forward in life, but it’s hard being surrounded by all the places she and Ingrid used to visit.  It doesn’t help that the teacher she used to rely on while Ingrid was still alive is giving her the cold shoulder, so she is utterly alone.  Through her memories of Ingrid, Caitlin begins to pull herself together and realizes that she has to come to terms with Ingrid’s death before she can really begin living again.

Review:

As you can see from my summary of Hold Still, this book deals with some very heavy subjects.  The issue of teen suicide is more prevalent than ever – more and more, teenagers are having to deal with their friends and acquaintances trying to take their own lives.  Therefore, this book, while difficult to read at times, is very important and deals with some incredibly serious issues.

Caitlin is a great character that I enjoyed getting to know in Hold Still.  While she was in a very dark place at the beginning of this novel, she doesn’t wallow in self-despair for the duration of it.  She really wants to come to terms with Ingrid’s death so she can start living again.  While she does act out at times, it’s perfectly understandable. – it’s not really frustrating or annoying.  Caitlin is very easy to like and sympathize with.

I thought the discussion of depression in Hold Still was very interesting and well done.  Often in situations such as this, there is a measure of survivor’s guilt – why didn’t I see the signs?  I should have known something like this was going to happen, I should have paid more attention!  While Caitlin does experience a decent amount of this, Hold Still makes the effects of depression clear.  There was nothing Caitlin could have done – it wasn’t about her.

Hold Still was a solid read about Caitlin’s healing process as she accepts Ingrid’s death.  While this book is interesting for adults, I also believe it’s very appropriate for older teens.  Though it deals with very heavy subject matter, it’s an uplifting novel in the end.

Title: The Glass Painter’s Daughter
Author: Rachel Hore
ISBN: 9781847391407
Pages: 400
Release Date: April 6, 2009
Publisher: Pocket Books UK
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Fran Morrison is returning home after a long absence.  A falling out with her father led her to a life of traveling, playing the tuba with orchestras around Europe.  She turned her back on the family glassmaking business, Minster Glass, along with her father and his assistant, Zac.

Now she’s back in light of her father’s illness and isn’t sure what she should be doing.  In her discussions with those who knew her father, Fran stumbles upon a mystery involving a stained glass window her family’s business made for the church in the 1800’s.  As she becomes more and more immersed in the stained glass window, Fran begins making a home for herself, though she doesn’t know where she really belongs.

Review:

The Glass Painter’s Daughter is a fascinating look at the glass making business.  Rachel Hore goes into a lot of detail trying to make the process seem real and she creates a vivid picture for the reader.  Making stained glass is an incredibly intricate process, and Hore describes it very well.  It made the book completely captivating, as the reader is immersed in creating, preserving, and restoring stained glass.

There are two narrators in The Glass Painter’s Daughter, though it is Fran’s story.  Fran’s a great character, though very complex.  She has been through a lot with her father and has a lot of questions about her mother.  Through her research into the stained glass window, she gets to know the other narrator, Laura Brownlow.  Fran finds healing as she immerses herself deeper and deeper into Laura’s story.

I can’t say I found Laura’s story, set in the 1800’s as captivating as Fran’s.  Laura’s narration doesn’t take up nearly as much time as Fran’s, which was a good thing for me.  I’m not sure why I didn’t connect with Laura; all I know is that I heavily skimmed the sections that she narrated.  However, according to the Amazon.co.uk reviews, not many people agree with me, so you may enjoy Laura’s section much more than I did.

Rachel Hore writes very well about relationships and complex emotional issues in The Glass Painter’s Daughter.  The reader becomes very involved in Fran’s life, hoping that she will work out her issues and repair her relationship with her father.  It’s an enjoyable read, and I hope to read more of Hore’s novels in the future.

Title: Ruined
Author: Paula Morris
ISBN: 9780545042154
Pages: 304
Release Date: August 1, 2009
Publisher: Point
Genre: Teen/YA, Mystery
Source: Amazon Vine
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Rebecca is thoroughly unhappy about the situation she has found herself in.  Her father has to travel to China for his job, so she’s being sent to New Orleans to stay with a family friend while he’s out of the country.  She’s not thrilled about leaving her friends and her school and starting over in New Orleans, and what’s more, her aunt is just a little bit weird.

Once she gets there, she begins spending more and more time in Lafayette Cemetery, as she doesn’t fit in with anyone at school.  There she meets Lisette, a young girl who Rebecca finds herself becoming friends with.  But there is more going on than Rebecca realizes, and Lisette is not exactly who she seems to be.

Review:

I love ghost stories, so I was really excited when I received Ruined in the mail.  I thought the setting of post-Katrina New Orleans was wonderful for a spooky tale.  I don’t know much about New Orleans and haven’t ever visited, but Morris’ vivid storytelling and details really made me feel like I had been there.  I could easily picture what she was describing; it made reading Ruined a lot of fun to read.

The mystery in Ruined was captivating and really kept me hooked through the entire story.  I have to admit, the ending was a little bit disappointing, but I can understand why Morris wrapped it up the way she did.  The ghost story aspect is a lot of fun to read, and mildly creepy, but I was never scared when reading the book.  Morris manages to create a gothic atmosphere without resorting to scare tactics in order to entertain the reader.

Rebecca was a fun character.  She wasn’t self-conscious, which was really great.  She was a refreshing protagonist that was much more concerned with doing the right thing than what other people thought.  However, that doesn’t mean she drew unnecessary attention to herself.  She was very realistically portrayed – Rebecca tried to stay out of the spotlight, but when it was on her, she wasn’t afraid to stand up to others.

Ruined was an immensely enjoyable novel that was great to read.  I was a little bit surprised at how much fun it was, considering I’ve been reading more than a few of these teen paranormal books lately, and many of them have been disappointments.  Ruined was well-written and a real pleasure to read – I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a good YA mystery.

Title: Rumors
Author: Anna Godbersen
ISBN: 9780061345715
Pages: 448
Release Date: June 3, 2008
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Teen, Historical Fiction
Source: Library
Rating: 4 out of 5

This review contains spoilers of The Luxe [review]

From the publisher’s website:

After bidding good-bye to New York's brightest star, Elizabeth Holland, rumors continue to fly about her untimely demise.

All eyes are on those closest to the dearly departed: her mischievous sister, Diana, now the family's only hope for redemption; New York's most notorious cad, Henry Schoon-maker, the flame Elizabeth never extinguished; the seductive Penelope Hayes, poised to claim all that her best friend left behind—including Henry; even Elizabeth's scheming former maid, Lina Broud, who discovers that while money matters and breeding counts, gossip is the new currency.

As old friends become rivals, Manhattan's most dazzling socialites find their futures threatened by whispers from the past. In this delicious sequel to The Luxe, nothing is more dangerous than a scandal . . . or more precious than a secret.

I thoroughly enjoyed Anna Godbersen’s The Luxe [review], so I was eager to give its sequel, Rumors, a try.  I couldn’t wait to return to New York City, to this era of socialites and delicious gossip.  While Rumors was not quite at the level of the previous novel in the series, it was an enjoyable read that definitely whetted my appetite for the next book!

I found the title of this novel, Rumors, to be very apt, in both good and bad ways.  Though Elizabeth does figure into this novel, the book focuses much more on those she left behind:  specifically, her sister Diana and former best friend Penelope.  The levels that Penelope stoops to in this book are shockingly devious, yet thoroughly enjoyable.  Godbersen really knows how to write scandal!

On the other hand, I felt like not that much happened in this book – it was all about rumors, rather than action.  There was a lot of scheming, which was fun, but without much follow through.  The book was never tedious or anything like that, I just felt like a lot of it was filler for the third novel in the series.  The only part of the book that was truly exciting was the ending – it was explosive and completely surprising!

I enjoyed reading Rumors, but felt like it was just a prelude for the third novel in this series, Envy, rather than a standalone book in its own right.  I can’t wait to pick the next book in the series up – the entire thing is just a lot of fun to read!

Title: The Girl From Foreign
Author: Sadia Shepard
ISBN: 9780143115779
Pages: 384
Release Date: July 31, 2008
Publisher: Penguin
Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Sadia Shepard is the daughter of a Muslim woman from India and a Protestant man from the United States.  Growing up in Boston, she was always caught between two worlds – until, one day, she discovered that there was a third to add to the mix.  Her grandmother was one of the Bene Israel, which was a community of Jews living in India that shipwrecked there over two thousand years ago.

On her grandmother’s death bed, Sadia promises her that she’ll return to India to discover her roots and get to know her grandmother’s country.   While there, she decides to document the Bene Israel community, but gets much more than she bargained for in the process.  Through her exploration of her heritage, Sadia learns about her history, her cultural identity, and what it means to really belong.

Review:

The Girl From Foreign is the story of one woman’s amazing journey, both physically and emotionally.  At the beginning of this book, Sadia is unsure of herself and her mission.  She doesn’t know what she’s going to do in India or what she wants from the Bene Israel community.  All she is confident of is that she made a promise to her grandmother and she is going to keep it.  It’s wonderful to accompany her through this book and watch Sadia grow as a person as she spends more and more time in India. 

Additionally, it’s fascinating to read about Sadia’s exploration of the different cultures that are a part of her – she has ties to America, India, Pakistan, and Israel.  She is Christian, Jewish, and Muslim.  The Girl From Foreign is a beautiful tribute to the impact of culture.  It’s also a moving look at the ways many different nationalities and religions can coexist peacefully within one person.  It gives the entire book a very hopeful tone.

The discussion of the Bene Israel community in The Girl From Foreign was absolutely captivating.  I’ve never heard of this group of people who consider themselves the remnants of one of the lost tribes of Israel.  The only complaint I had about the book was that I would have loved to learn more about their history.  It’s never a bad thing when the strongest criticism of a book is that the reader wants more from the author!

Sadia Shepard did an incredible job of putting a human face on all of the characters, communities, and cultures she discusses in The Girl From Foreign.  As a result, the reader gets personally involved in her journey.  Though the book does slow down in the middle, that connection keeps the reader very interested in the story and in what conclusions Sadia comes to about her heritage and her decisions about how to portray the Bene Israel community.

The Girl From Foreign is a wonderful memoir of travel, introspection, and self-discovery.  This is a book I highly recommend, especially to those who like a taste of culture in their reads - it does not disappoint!

Title: A Change in Altitude
Author: Anita Shreve
ISBN: 9780316020701
Pages: 320
Release Date: September 22, 2009
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3.75 out of 5

Summary:

Margaret and Patrick are American newlyweds living in Kenya in the 1970s. Patrick is a doctor and Margaret is doing her best to use her photography skills, despite the prejudices against women. They make friends with another married couple, Arthur and Diana, who invite them on a climb of Mount Kenya, and Margaret reluctantly agrees.

However, the climb doesn’t go as planned – tragedy strikes, and as a result Margaret and Patrick’s relationship changes irrevocably. While they try to recover from what happened on the mountain, Margaret begins to branch out and explore her own independence, and as a result begins to see the “real” Africa, often hidden from Western eyes.

Review:

After last year’s amazing Testimony [review], Anita Shreve returns with another contemporary fiction novel that really makes the reader think. This time, the setting is Africa. With merely her words, Shreve paints a vivid and colorful picture of Kenya. The reader sees the beauty of this country – but also the horror. This is not a sanitized depiction. Shreve doesn’t shy away from the realities of life in Kenya in the 70’s. As a result, this novel is not easy to read at times. It can be difficult and brutal, but Shreve’s beautiful and frank writing helps alleviate the burden on the reader.

The author does an excellent job of exposing the reader to some of the complicated issues that are in Africa, yet there never is too much. Shreve is very aware of her audience; she is cognizant of the fact that that too much ugliness will turn her readers off. Therefore there is a healthy balance of world issues and the personal relationships that Shreve writes so well in A Change in Altitude.

Indeed, though Africa is a major part of this novel, it is relationships that are at its heart. Patrick and Margaret’s marriage is the core of A Change in Altitude. It seems perfect at the beginning – they are in love and on the adventure of a lifetime in Kenya. However, even before the climb, the cracks in their marriage begin to surface. Once tragedy strikes, they begin to drift farther and farther apart – it’s as if something has broken in their marriage. Shreve thrives on depicting the conflict within relationships, and while it isn’t perfectly executed, it’s clear that this is where she really excels.

The problems with A Change in Altitude were with the story. Though it’s very well-written and easy to read, there isn’t a driving force propelling the story forward. Instead, it seems to meander along more often than not. While Margaret is well-written and introspective, the reader never really gets to know Patrick. As a result, the couple working out their problems isn’t enough to keep the reader hooked. Still, the depiction of Kenya and Margaret’s independent journey is enough to keep the reader interested in the novel.

A Change in Altitude isn’t necessarily a great novel, but it is a solid work of fiction that fans of Shreve and contemporary fiction lovers will enjoy. Additionally, if you’re looking for an introductory book on Africa, this is a great place to start.

Welcome to the Thursday Tunes! Each week, I will showcase music, whether new or old. Hopefully you will find something that interests you here!

I’m sure almost all of you have heard of Shakira at one point or another.  She’s had a lot of hit songs, and going to be releasing her new album She Wolf in a couple of weeks.  But have you heard Shakira’s music from before she hit it big in the United States?  Her early Spanish music is simply amazing, even if you don’t speak Spanish.  I love her Grandes Exitos album – a greatest hits CD.  This is a CD I’ve had for years and have listened to it hundreds of times – it’s on constant rotation in my car.

My favorite song off of Grandes Exitos is “Estoy Aqui” which also happens to be one of my favorite songs of all time!  I also love the songs “Si Te Vas” and “No Creo,” but honestly, every single song off this CD is excellent.  Grandes Exitos can be purchased from the Amazon MP3 Store for $9.99.

I’m thrilled to announce that I’m giving away two copies of The Last Dickens by Matthew Pearl, in cooperation with the publisher and TLC Book Tours!

Rules: This giveaway runs through Monday, October 26, so make sure you enter before then.  Because this giveaway is publisher sponsored, U.S. only please. 

To enter: Leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite Dickens novel is. If you haven’t read one, tell me that.

Second entry:  Blog or tweet about the giveaway and link back here.  Make sure you let me know you did this in the comments.

Good luck!

Title: The Last Dickens
Author: Matthew Pearl
ISBN: 9780812978025
Pages: 416
Release Date: October 6, 2009
Publisher: Random House
Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction
Source: TLC Book Tours
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

The death of Charles Dickens has sent his American publishers into a tumult.  They are desperate to receive the last installments of his book, The Mystery of Edwin Drood so they can publish it before their rivals rip them off.  James Osgood sends one of his clerks to meet the ship and pick up the last pages Dickens wrote, but he is mysteriously murdered en route and the pages go missing.  His death plunges Osgood into a race to find the end to Dickens’ last, unfinished work.

Review:

I really enjoyed Matthew Pearl’s The Dante Club, so when the opportunity arose to review The Last Dickens, I jumped at the chance.  I love how Matthew Pearl takes old literary figures and books and weaves historical mysteries around them.  They are musts for lovers of classic works, but they also can be enjoyed by anyone who likes a good mystery.

The Last Dickens is a wonderfully written book.  Pearl is an expert at creating atmosphere with specific historical details, a skill that he has finely honed in his last two novels.  This makes the reader really feel like they are in the 19th century, witnessing events as they are happening.  Pearl fully immerses the reader in the story; as a result, historical fiction lovers will find as much to love in this novel as mystery lovers will.

Matthew Pearl also creates wonderful three-dimensional characters that the reader really gets to know in The Last Dickens.  I loved reading about Charles Dickens as a larger-than-life figure.  I didn’t know much about Dickens and had only read one of his books prior to picking up this novel, but that didn’t diminish my enjoyment of it.  Additionally, the description of the American publishing world in the 1800’s was fascinating and really made the novel worth reading.

The mystery in The Last Dickens is well-crafted and intricate.  It’s difficult to tell where the novel is going, and there’s no way the reader can predict all the twists and turns that Pearl is going to take them through.  However, that also means it’s incredibly complicated.  There are a lot of characters in this novel and it can be difficult to follow at times.  While it’s a very engaging book, the sheer density of the plot can be tough.

Though The Last Dickens was slow at times, it was a book that was definitely worth reading.  Pearl creates a wonderful atmosphere with a mystery that book lovers will relish.  I enjoyed reading this novel and definitely recommend it.

Part of the Castello Sforzesco in Milan, Italy

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Title: Snap
Author: Carol Snow
ISBN: 9780061452116
Pages: 224
Release Date: August 25, 2009
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: Teen/YA, Mystery
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Melanie thought she had a great life – school was going well for her, her photography was really taking off, and she had the best friends anyone could ask for. Sure, she didn’t have a boyfriend, but nobody’s life is perfect, right? All in all, she didn’t think she had much to complain about.

Then her parents announced that the family was taking a trip to the beach for the summer – except it’s like no vacation Melanie’s ever been on. The hotel is horrible, and Melanie’s parents are acting weirder than ever. Bewildered, Melanie takes refuge in her photographs. But when people who she is certain aren’t there when she’s taking the photographs start appearing in them, Melanie isn’t sure what to think. She turns to some of the other kids in town for help in order to figure out what in the world might be going on.

Review:

Snap is one of the latest novels in the Paranormal YA craze. While I don’t like horror, I do very much enjoy ghost stories, so this book really appealed to me. I wasn’t entirely certain it was a ghost story when I picked it up, but it was sufficiently creepy to satisfy my wish to read a gothic mystery.

I liked the character of Melanie. She did her best to adapt to new situations and really tried to be nice and considerate to those around her. I really felt bad about what was happening to her; I had a lot of sympathy for her and could relate to her character very well. Snow did a great job in creating a sympathetic protagonist.

However, Snow also created a realistic teenager in Melanie – she was a bit of a brat. She looked down on those around her and honestly thought she was better than them because she was used to better clothes and more “popular” friends – these were just her sympathy summer friends. As a result, she could be a bit mean at times. That’s honestly not a criticism of the character, though. Snow’s portrayal of Melanie is real – this is exactly how I’d see a teenager acting in these circumstances. Melanie isn’t ever really annoying, and her snobby attitude is subtle and melts away over the course of the book. I appreciated how Snow could make Melanie seem like such a real person – her flaws were apparent, but they didn’t make me like Melanie any less.

The mystery in Snap is good, but it isn’t completely satisfying. I wasn’t thrilled with the way it was resolved. The actual progression of the story is great, but the explanation is a bit lackluster. Still, I enjoyed reading it – I thought it was a creative plot and it really was deliciously creepy at times!

Snap is a short and sweet read that’s perfect if you’re in the mood for something light. I really enjoyed it, and will definitely be going back and reading Carol Snow’s previous book of this genre, Switch.

Title: Juliet, Naked
Author: Nick Hornby
ISBN: 9781594488870
Pages: 416
Release Date: September 29, 2009
Publisher: Riverhead
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Duncan has been obsessed with American singer-songwriter Tucker Crowe for...well, pretty much for as long as Annie can remember.  Their relationship has always included Tucker, even though he stopped making music about ten years ago.  Annie tolerates Duncan's unexplainable love for Tucker as well as she can, until one day, everything explodes.

As one of the main posters on Tucker's unofficial fan website, Duncan receives an advance copy of the first CD Tucker has put out in ten years. Called Juliet, Naked it contains acoustic, stripped down versions of the songs off of Tucker's most famous album, Juliet.  Tucker and Annie's widely varying opinions about the genius of this new album only serves to exacerbate the underlying tension in their relationship and to emphasize their unhappiness with each other.

Juliet, Naked is a novel about second chances (and first ones) and the need for change when life becomes stagnant.

Review:

I haven't read much Nick Hornby, though I've seen most of the movies based on his books.  I absolutely adore his artful blend of humor and emotion, as well as his incorporation of pop culture into his novels.  When I heard that his new book Juliet, Naked was about music, I immediately know I wanted to read it.

Nick Hornby is a genius at creating light, fun novels that also have a certain amount of introspection.  On the surface, Juliet, Naked is a funny novel about music and an extremely quirky and mismatched couple.  But underneath, it's about family, running away from the past, lying, infidelity, and responsibility, to yourself as well as others.  But then again, it's also about music - what makes great music and what doesn't.  In this way, Hornby cloaks the depth of the novel in a absolutely wonderful and fun exterior.

Despite the length of Juliet, Naked the book is never daunting or too long.  It goes by incredibly fast, as the reader gets more and more involved in Annie's life.  Though the novel has three main characters, I would argue that it is actually Annie's story.  She is the central character in the novel - Annie is the one that holds everything together.  I really enjoyed getting to know her.  She faced a tough situation with Duncan, and the reader can't help but sympathize with her feelings that Duncan loves Tucker more than he loves her.  However, Hornby is careful not to let sympathy become pity - though Annie's plight is sad, she is never pitiable.

Juliet, Naked is also heartwarming and funny, which really makes it worth reading.  There are certain lines in the novel that had me laughing out loud - I couldn't get over how amusing it was!  Here's a quote that I especially enjoyed:

"Nobody should have children just because it made the photo library on the computer more interesting.”

On the surface, it's a very funny thing to say, but once you think about it a little, the sentiment is a bit sad and much deeper than you initially realized.  I feel like that is indicative of this entire novel - it's humorous and entertaining if you don't want to think, but if you do, the substance is there, hiding in plain sight.

The ending of the novel is ambiguous and some readers might have a problem with its lack of closure.  While I understand this argument, I think it was very well done, leaving the future open to interpretation. 

Juliet, Naked was a thoroughly enjoyable book that I highly recommend.  It never drags and always manages to keep the reader entertained and interested in reading.  I can't wait to go back and read more Nick Hornby after how much I enjoyed this book!