Title: Secrets of Eden: A Novel
Author: Chris Bohjalian
ISBN: 9780307394972
Pages: 384
Release Date: 2/2/2010
Publisher: Shaye Areheart Books
Genre: Mystery, Literary Fiction
Source: Amazon Vine
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

When Alice and George Hayward are found dead in their home in Vermont, the people of the town they lived in are saddened and shocked.  They knew that George had been abusing Alice physically for some time – in fact, they were separated, but recently had gotten back together – but no one thought it would come to this.  On first appearances, it appears to be a murder-suicide – George strangled Alice and then shot himself.  Upon closer examination, though, details surface that make the police question their initial interpretation of events.  Told through four different narrators, Secrets of Eden is the story of Alice and George and the effect their deaths had.

Review:

I really enjoyed Chris Bohjalian’s The Double Bind, though I haven’t picked up any of his other books.  However, I thought Secrets of Eden sounded really fascinating, especially with the mystery kick I’ve been on lately.  Once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down – I had to know the outcome of this deftly written novel.

Secrets of Eden has four well-established and developed narrators.  Each time I saw the voice of the novel would be changing, I was disappointed – usually, in novels with multiple narrators, one voice is much more interesting than the others.  However, Bohjalian manages to make each narrator unique and compelling.  They each have their own story, their own version of events, and with each telling, the reader gleans new details about the murders.  However, you also can’t completely trust any of these characters – they all have their own agendas when discussing the deaths and the aftermath.  As a result, the reader is scrambling to figure out which of these narrators is unreliable, and what each of their goals are.

I also appreciated how Bohjalian gave the readers subtle clues and hints as to what happened that are interspersed through the novel.  Yes, the reader does find out the truth at the end, but it’s fun to take these details as they are delivered and try to piece together what happened.  It gives the novel a sense of adventure and makes it very difficult to put down.

I really enjoyed Secrets of Eden; I expected it to be a heavy, slow novel, but instead it was easy to read and utterly engrossing.  This is a book you’ll want to read in one sitting, so don’t pick it up unless you have some time!

Title: Savor the Moment (The Brides Quartet)
Author: Nora Roberts
ISBN: 9780425233689
Pages: 352
Release Date: April 27, 2010
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romance
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Though her friends Mac and Emma have found love, Laurel isn’t looking for anything in particular.  She enjoys being the pastry chef at the wedding planning company, Vows, she founded with her three best friends.  However, her mind changes when she decides to pursue Del, her friend Parker’s brother.  They’ve known each other for years, and Laurel’s always been a little bit in love with him.  But for all Laurel knows, Del thinks of her as his sister.  Will he be able to look at her as something more?

Review:

I enjoyed the first two novels in Nora Roberts’ Bride Quartet (Vision in White and Bed of Roses), so I definitely knew I wanted to read the third book when it came out.  Savor the Moment is a sweet, light read that fans of the series should definitely pick up.

Roberts’ strength is in developing her characters, and Savor the Moment is no exception.  Laurel is a talented, strong woman, but she is insecure about her past.  Her father was unfaithful to her mother, and she isn’t quite sure whether she can trust and believe in Del.  She partners with Del very well, and they make an attractive (if sickeningly sweet) couple.

There’s no denying that Savor the Moment is predictable – Roberts dropped heavy hints about the partnering of Laurel and Del in the previous book.  Additionally, I don’t think readers have any doubt who Parker will end up with in the final book of the quartet.  But surprise in the plot isn’t the reason people will pick up this book – it’s about the characters and their friendships with one another, not to mention the crazy wedding planning these women have to do.

Savor the Moment is a fun, frothy, fluffy book that is great if you’re in the mood for an easy read.  Yes, it’s very predictable, but it’s still fun to sit back and enjoy this novel with a glass of wine.

Title: Claude & Camille: A Novel of Monet
Author: Stephanie Cowell
ISBN: 9780307463210
Pages: 352
Release Date: April 6, 2010
Publisher: Crown
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Author
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Before he became the well-known and masterful painter that he’s regarded as today, Claude Monet was a young, poor man who struggled every day to sell his paintings.  Claude and Camille focuses on this young man, looking at the early years of his life and his relationship with his love and muse, Camille Doncieux.

Review:

I don’t know much about the birth of Impressionism, though I absolutely adore the paintings that came out of the era.  Pissaro, Manet, Monet – these men are considered giants in the art world.  I knew that Impressionism wasn’t well-regarded when it first evolved, but I was really curious to know more about one of my favorite styles of painting.  It’s one of the reasons I enjoyed Claude and Camille so much – not only was it a touching, if tragic, love story, but it also gave a lot of interesting historical information about a period I don’t know a lot about.

Claude was certainly an interesting character, but it was Camille that really drew my attention.  She was so changeable and difficult to predict.  She likely suffered from severe bouts of depression, and as a result, it was difficult to get to know her.  Cowell did an excellent job portraying this complicated woman.  Even now, after the book has ended, I’m thinking of her and the mystery she presented to the reader.

I appreciated how Cowell portrayed Claude Monet as arrogant, yet vulnerable to the deepest despair.  There’s no doubt that he is completely sincere in his love for Camille, yet his inability to provide for her eats away at him, wounding him to the core.  It’s interesting to see the depths of the passion in this man and how they fuel his work.

I really enjoyed Claude and Camille.  I’ve loved Monet’s paintings ever since I was a little girl and am glad that I now know more about him.  After reading the book, I’m eager to visit museums and see his paintings once again, especially the ones that were produced out of his love for Camille.

Title: Sweet Dates in Basra: A Novel
Author: Jessica Jiji
ISBN: 9780061689307
Pages: 368
Release Date: April 27, 2010
Publisher: Avon A
Genre: Multicultural Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

It’s 1941 in Basra, Iraq and Shafiq is having the time of his life with his best friend and next door neighbor, Omar.  Though Shafiq’s family is Jewish, the horrors of World War II haven’t visited Iraq.  In fact, they are much more concerned about the British stealing Iraqi oil than they are about Nazis.

Kathmiya is breathtakingly beautiful, but cursed for reasons she doesn’t understand.  Instead of seeking marriages, like other girls her age, her father has decided she must go into the city to work.  Kathmiya reluctantly complies, bewildered as to why she is treated so differently than her beloved sister. 

Sweet Dates in Basra is a novel of love and loss, of tragedy and happiness set against the backdrop of world-changing events. 

Review:

When I was first asked to provide an advance review of Sweet Dates in Basra, I was very excited.  I love stories about other cultures, and the Middle East is an great area to read about.  However, it also gave me pause; while often beautifully written, books set in the Middle East have a tendency to be dramatic, tragic and very heavy.  Therefore, I approached Sweet Dates in Basra with some trepidation, not wanting to be dragged down by weighty subject matter.

Imagine my surprise when I found that Sweet Dates in Basra was a light, sweet novel that was a distinct pleasure to read!  Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t “frothy” or “fluffy” – Sweet Dates in Basra deals with some serious subjects, including the treatment of women in the Middle East, Jewish-Muslim relations, and the political turmoil that was occurring at the time.  But Jessica Jiji tackles each of theses issues in such a way that the overarching theme of the novel – a simple love story – isn’t overshadowed by these difficulties. 

This is really an eye opening book as well.  The historical details are impressively written – Jiji manages to create an amazing atmosphere with Sweet Dates in Basra.  The reader is sucked into the world she creates.  It’s also wonderful to read a book in which the Middle East, and specifically Iraq, is portrayed as a beautiful place.  It’s definitely not perfect, but it’s nice to have a positive light shined on an area that is now so volatile and known for prejudice and intolerance.

The character development in Sweet Dates in Basra is a pleasure to witness.  The reader watches as Shafiq grows from a somewhat silly (though very smart) boy into a man who takes his destiny into his own hands.  Kathmiya is a troubled and sad girl, but as the book progresses, she develops into a confident woman who wants something better for herself.  The reader really is drawn into the lives of these characters.  It’s difficult to say goodbye to them at the end of the book because they have become old friends.

Sweet Dates in Basra is a wonderfully written story that will capture the heart of anyone who reads it.  While it deals with some heavy issues, Jiji’s writing is such that they never weigh the reader down.  It’s a charming novel that anyone interested in other cultures should definitely pick up.

Title: The Postmistress
Author: Sarah Blake
ISBN: 9780399156199
Pages: 336
Release Date: February 9, 2010
Publisher: Putnam/Amy Einhorn Books
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

The Postmistress tells the story of three women: Emma Fitch, the wife of the town doctor in Franklin, Massachusetts, and Iris James, the postmistress of the town.  Frankie Bard is on the other side of the ocean, an American reporting on World War II from London.  When Emma’s husband, Will, decides to go to London to help with the war effort for six months, events are set into motion that will bring these three women together.

Review:

I’d heard a lot about The Postmistress before it even came out, and knew I wanted to read it from the second I read about it.  Seeing Sarah Blake speak about it only added to the longing I felt to read this book.  Now that I’ve finally picked it up, I can only say that I’m so glad it lived up to my astronomical expectations.

I cannot say enough about the beauty and eloquence of Sarah Blake’s writing.  I began marking passages to share in my review, but stopped when I realized I was flagging a few sentences every two pages. Blake’s prose is fluid, weaving an intricate, yet delicate story.  Even the ugliest moments are cloaked by the beautiful words in this book.  Writing like this could make up for the worst of plots, but what makes this novel great, as opposed to very good, is the fact that the story is compelling as well.  If Blake continues to write with this passion and grace, I will read anything she writes, regardless of the subject matter.

There are three main characters in The Postmistress, but my personal favorite was Frankie Bard, the reporter.  I loved her strength, passion, and determination.  Instead of shying away from horror, she runs straight into the bombs, the murders, the killing.  She has to know what is happening, to see it for herself and make others understand what she is experiencing.

“And when the air raid started, the long swooning climb up the octave in the sky, Murrow’s tense excited voice narrated the incoming drone of the Luftwaffe, here they come, you can hear them now, and Frankie had felt untouchable then, immortal, holding the microphone up to the night.  Here and now.  Do you hear this?  She wanted to add her voice to Murrow’s, wanted her voice to find the ear of the listeners on the other end of the cable.  In that moment, through the air, the Germans plowed straight into an American living room and Frankie was holding the curtain back so they could hear it better, and it was a dare.  I dare you, she thought now, to look away.” – Page 26

I also loved Frankie’s journey into Europe, her quest to find out what was happening to the Jews.  It wasn’t about being smart – for Frankie, it was about compassion, the need to understand, to hear the voices of people that no one else seemed to be paying attention to.  I don’t want to go into it further here and spoil it for those of you who haven’t read it yet, but let me just say that it is incredibly moving.

The Postmistress is one of those books everyone will be talking about for years to come, and there is a very good reason for it:  it’s just that great of a book.  This is one I highly recommend – the writing style isn’t heavy, so it should appeal to those who don’t want a slow book, but should also speak to those more interested in literary fiction.

Well, these last two weeks have been hectic and a little crazy!  It all started two weeks ago, on Friday April 9, when I noticed I wasn’t feeling that great.  It was horrible timing because I knew I had a lot going on, but I just kept getting sicker and sicker.  At some point, I realized I had a raging sinus infection, went to the doctor, and got antibiotics.

Of course, that meant for a few days, I was lying in bed doing nothing while I fell behind in both work and school.  While I’ve been keeping up well with classes, it’s been hard to carve out time to research for my thesis and as a result, I fell even more behind than I had already been.  To make matters worse, I was already behind on work stuff from midterms as well.

On top of all this, the Sunday after I got sick (April 11), my husband noticed our fridge no longer seemed to be cooling.  I’m not even going to take you through the step-by-step events, as I’ve been regaling the twitterverse with them for the last two weeks, but let me just say that we tried and tried to fix the old one, but it didn’t work.  We went and purchased a new one, only to discover that the alcove our fridge goes into isn’t perfectly rectangular, so despite our measurements, it didn’t fit.  I then had to go exchange it for a different fridge, and two weeks later, we finally have a fridge that works (and fits!).

Last weekend, I did go to Boston to visit one of my closest friends, which was a bright spot in an otherwise horrible couple of weeks!  But they are over now, so I am eager to get back to reading.  I feel like all I have been doing for the last couple of weeks is stressing/complaining, and that’s not fun for myself or anyone who’s had to listen to me!

Unfortunately, I haven’t done much reading over the past few weeks.  I did finish Stieg Larsson’s The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest and loved it, though I do think that many will be disappointed with it because it’s so different.  I also started The Passage by Justin Cronin.  I’m about 100 pages in, and it’s shaping up to be a great story.  I finished Possession by A.S. Byatt, which is a book I’ve been wanting to read for a very long time, and it did not disappoint!

I’m hoping to get back on track this week, and have a great reading, studying, and working week.  Plus I have a new bookshelf being delivered on Wednesday, at which point our redesign of my office/our guest bedroom (what I’ve taken to calling my book room) will be complete!  I’ll definitely post pictures once I’m done, as so far, I’m really happy with how it’s turned out!

Title: Angels of Destruction: A Novel
Author: Keith Donohue
ISBN: 9780307450265
Pages: 368
Release Date: March 31, 2009
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

When a little girl appears in the middle of the night on Margaret Quinn’s doorstep, Margaret can’t help but take her in.  She deduces the child’s name is Norah and that the girl is an orphan.  Widowed, Margaret is lonely, especially since her only daughter Erica ran away from home at the age of seventeen and never came back.  Margaret takes Norah in, passing her off as her granddaughter, unleashing a chain of events that she could not have foreseen.

Review:

I really enjoyed Keith Donohue’s first novel, The Stolen Child, but it took me awhile to pick up Angels of Destruction.  Now that I’ve read it, I wish I had run out and gotten it as soon as it came out – it’s a wonderfully subtle and beautiful book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The aspect of Angels of Destruction that struck me most was its poignant commentary on the relationship between mother and daughter.  Margaret is so broken after Erica leaves.  Even though it’s been about 15 years since she left, Margaret still waits every day for her daughter to come home.  Donohue portrays a mother’s grief and heartbreak at the loss of her daughter very convincingly.

After readers finish the last pages of this book, they will begin to contemplate the existence of angels.  Are there angels walking among us?  What is the definition of an angel – does it have to be a celestial being, or can it just be someone who helps us when we need it most?  In Angels of Destruction, Norah is clearly an angel for Margaret.  After Norah arrives, Margaret begins to awaken from the slumber she’s been in since Erica’s flight.  Norah is the catalyst which begins Margaret’s healing process.

The flashback to Erica’s time is a very effective tool.  It helps the reader gain a larger perspective on both Erica and Margaret’s relationship as well as the role Norah has to play in their story.

I really enjoyed Angels of Destruction and will definitely be picking up Keith Donohue’s next novel as soon as it comes out.  If you appreciate well-written stories with a tinge of the supernatural (or celestial, as the case may be), then you should seek out this novel.

Title: Living Dead Girl
Author: Elizabeth Scott
ISBN: 9781416960607
Pages: 176
Release Date: September 2, 2008
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Genre: Teen/YA
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Alice is 15 years old.  Though Alice isn’t even her real name.  She was 9 years old when Ray took her from the aquarium she was at, on a field trip with her schoolmates.  Since then, Ray has abused her physically, emotionally, and sexually.  This is a bleak and desperate portrait of a girl with no hope left and nowhere to run.

Review:

Elizabeth Scott is one of my favorite YA writers. I’ve cut down the number of YA books I’ve been reading lately because I’ve found they haven’t really been speaking to me, but I will seek out Elizabeth Scott’s books as long as she is writing them.  She always has an interesting story to tell, and I love that her books are so different from one another (Reviews of Something, Maybe, Love You, Hate You, Miss You and The Unwritten Rule).  She is constantly pushing the boundaries, trying to improve her writing and storytelling skills.

Living Dead Girl is like no other Elizabeth Scott novel I’ve read.  It’s a slip of a book, but one that packs an incredible punch.  It isn’t enjoyable to read – in fact, it’s horrifying.  I felt nauseous the entire time I was reading it.  That being said, I could not put this book down.  I had to know what happened to Alice, to know that she ended up okay.  Scott knows how to keep her readers hooked on a story.

This was not a complicated book.  While the subject matter was incredibly difficult, the book itself is stark and bare.  Scott’s writing style is spare, in an effort to reinforce the bleak nature of the novel.  There isn’t a lot of hope in this book, which makes it that much harder to read.  It’s almost a flat book, but that’s not necessarily a criticism.  Living Dead Girl is told from the point of view of Alice, and she narrates with such numbness that the entire novel is just haunting.

This was not an easy or enjoyable book to read.  That being said, I think it was definitely worth reading, and am glad I picked it up.  Additionally, despite the heavy subject matter, the book goes very fast.  This would actually make a great book club read – it would spur a lot of discussion, and after it’s over, you’ll want people to share your despair with and inject some brightness into your day.

Title: Hush: A Novel
Author: Kate White
ISBN: 9780061576614
Pages: 352
Release Date: March 2, 2010
Publisher: Harper
Genre: Mystery
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Lake Warren has a lot going on in her life right now.  She and her husband are going through divorce proceedings, and he recently shocked her by filing for full custody of their two children.  She’s also working on a marketing campaign for a fertility clinic, and one of the doctors joining the practice has caught her eye.  At his welcome dinner, Lake finds the flirtatious Dr. Keaton irresistible and ends up going home with him after the dinner is over.  When the unthinkable happens and Lake can’t trust the police or anyone at the clinic, she begins her own investigation into the clinic’s practices.

Review:

Hush is an exciting and suspenseful novel with multiple mysteries at its core.  White did an excellent job making the novel thrilling and difficult to put down.  When I sat down with it, I planned to only read a few pages.  Hush had other plans, however – from the second I picked up this novel, I could not put it down.

There are multiple storylines in Hush and they all are interesting.  From Lake’s custody battle to the goings-on at the fertility clinic, White did a wonderful job taking disparate threads and weaving them into a tight, cohesive whole.  As a result, readers will race through this novel, trying to uncover who is behind the events.  When the perpetrator is finally revealed, readers will be surprised – White does a great job making the ending believable, yet difficult to guess.

Lake is an interesting character who really gets in over her head in Hush.  She decides to play detective, but the more she uncovers, the more frightening things become.  It’s interesting to watch her draw on her resources and try to keep her cool, especially when she is scared and alone.  I have to admit, some of her decisions bothered me, but they were made at emotional times so it’s understandable why she did what she did.

Hush was an gripping read that I definitely recommend to fans of mysteries and thrillers.  I’ll definitely be going back to read some of Kate White’s other works.

Title: Stitches: A Memoir
Author: David Small
ISBN: 9780393068573
Pages: 336
Release Date: September 8, 2009
Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company
Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction, Graphic Novel
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

In this memoir of his childhood, David Small discusses his relationship with his parents and troubled family life as a young boy.  The book centers on Small’s surgery to remove what he was told was a cyst on his neck.  Unfortunately, the surgery ended up leaving him without a voice when doctors took out one set of his vocal chords.

Review:

Stitches is a moving and emotional memoir about David Small’s childhood, starting from the age of six.  Even from the first pages, it’s obvious that his relationship with his parents isn’t exactly healthy.  My heart couldn’t help but go out to this boy, clearly unloved and neglected by parents that aren’t content with their lot.  Small doesn’t sugarcoat what he experienced.  As a result, his memoir is raw, with a lot of emotional scarring splashed onto its pages.

Though the pivotal moment in this book is Small’s surgery in which he loses the ability to speak, it doesn’t come until halfway through the memoir.  The book as a whole is about not having a voice, but it’s more metaphorical than physical.  From the beginning, Small is struggling to be heard by a family that doesn’t seem to care about what he has to say.  When he loses his voice, it’s just a physical manifestation of something that had been occurring for a long time.  It’s incredible and horribly tragic at the same time.

The graphic memoir format works very well in Stitches.  The art is all black and white, which reveals a bleakness that might not have been as noticeable had the author used color.  Additionally, the book is beautifully drawn.  Small does an incredible job portraying his vivid emotions (especially frustration) through the artwork.  It really adds to the book.

Though this isn’t a short book, the graphic memoir format makes it a very quick read.  If you pick it up, don’t be tempted to rush through it.  The artwork is worthy of careful study, and the story has quite the emotional impact.  It’s a beautifully portrayed book that I highly recommend.

Title: False Mermaid
Author: Erin Hart
ISBN: 9781416563761
Pages: 336
Release Date: March 2, 2010
Publisher: Scribner
Genre: Mystery
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Nora Gavin is returning home to Mississippi for the first time in three years.  After the death of her beloved sister, Triona, she fled to Ireland, unable to cope with the knowledge that her brother-in-law had killed her sister, yet there was no evidence to convict him.  Now, Nora is determined to set things right and solve the mystery of her sister’s murder. 

Review:

When I first heard the premise of False Mermaid, I was immediately intrigued.  A murder mystery, with Irish mythology weaved into the storyline?  I was completely sold from just the publisher’s summary.

Hart does an excellent job creating an atmospheric mystery in False Mermaid.  Even though the main story isn’t set in Ireland, the aura of the Irish countryside permeates the novel.  The addition of Irish mythology (specifically, the story of the selkie) really adds to the mysterious nature of the novel, making it a haunting read. 

There are two mysteries within False Mermaid, though I enjoyed Nora’s search for her sister’s murderer the most.  Admittedly, there were some convenient coincidences, but on the whole, the mystery was well-written, engaging, and made the novel difficult to put down.

I didn’t realize that False Mermaid is actually the third in a series of novels about Nora and her Irish lover Cormac.  It works very well as a standalone; I wasn’t cognizant of the fact I was missing something while I was reading the book.  It was only afterwards, when I was looking information up for my review, that I realized I had missed the previous two books.  While I don’t like reading series books out of order, this one was well-written enough to where I didn’t even notice anything amiss.  Still, I’ll be going back and reading the first two since I enjoyed False Mermaid!

False Mermaid is one of those novels that is just fun to read.  There’s a gripping murder mystery, but the addition of the Irish mythology and its atmospheric quality take it a step up and inject a literary quality into it.  I highly recommend this book for anyone who’s a fan of literary mysteries.

Title: Watermark: A Novel of the Middle Ages
Author: Vanitha Sankaran
ISBN: 9780061849275
Pages: 368
Release Date: April 13, 2010
Publisher: Avon A
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

When Auda is born, she emerges from the womb with no color at all.  She is an albino, but in medieval France, the condition isn’t understood as a medical one and is instead seen as a mark of the devil.  As soon as she is delivered, the midwife’s apprentice cuts out her tongue in order to ensure that she can’t spread the devil’s words.

Years later, Auda is quickly approaching womanhood while helping her father with his paper making business.  When they receive word that the Inquisition is approaching their town of Narbonne, Auda’s family fears for her fate at the hands of the church.

Review:

Watermark is a well-written historical fiction debut, though its real strength lies in its main character.  Auda is very easy to love.  The reader can’t help but sympathize with her as she goes about her daily life, knowing she is different from everyone else and unable to speak.  Her father has raised her with independence, giving her the gift of words.  Since she can’t talk, writing has become her way of communicating with the world.  As a result, it’s crucial to her identity.  It’s wonderful to watch her grow more confident with her words and move towards true self-expression through writing.

The plight of an albino in the Middle Ages, during the time of the Inquisition, is one that I have never considered but find fascinating.  As a result, Watermark has a unique premise that I very much appreciate.  It’s nice to feel like you are reading something new when you pick up a book; it is refreshing and makes the novel as a whole more interesting.

Sankaran provides a lot of details about the art of making paper in Watermark, which added a crucial element to the story.  Part of the reason that words are so important to Auda is because of her father’s profession.  According to the author’s note at the end of the book, all the details about paper making are true.  It was nice to be able to learn something from this book, as the information provided is really interesting.

Watermark did have its flaws, namely that some of the twists and turns at the end of the book were difficult to believe, but it was a fun and interesting read that I definitely recommend for fans of historical fiction, especially if you are looking for something new within this Tudor-heavy genre.  Sankaran writes with confidence and ease, and does a wonderful job building her characters.  I’ll definitely be picking up her next novel.

Title: The Language of Sand: A Novel
Author: Ellen Block
ISBN: 9780440245759
Pages: 288
Release Date: April 6, 2010
Publisher: Bantam
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: LibraryThing Early Reviewers
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

After a horrible tragedy, Abigail Harker relocates to Chapel Isle, a small island off the course of North Carolina, in order to rebuild her shattered life.  She becomes the caretaker of a lighthouse, though the real estate agent said nothing about the awful shape that her rental property would be in.  Consumed by the desire to make her new surroundings a home, Abigail begins to reach out to the close knit community around her and finds healing in words.

Review:

The Language of Sand was an interesting novel that was an enjoyable and easy read.  I loved getting to know Abby – she was so torn by what she’d been through, yet determined to make the best of her new situation.  She thought about giving up, but it was clear even from the beginning of the novel that the word “surrender” wasn’t in her lexicon.  I loved watching her blossom as she found solace on Chapel Isle.

Abby’s profession as a lexicographer, someone who writes and edits dictionaries, adds to the uniqueness of The Language of Sand.  There is a lot of attention paid to language, and part of the way Abigail gets through each day is thinking through words.  Additionally, there are twenty-six chapters, one for each letter in the alphabet.  It was an interesting literary device that set this novel apart from others in its genre.

If I had one complaint about The Language of Sand, it would be that it’s so short!  I would have loved to get to know Abby better, and to watch her settle into the community more.  That’s not to say it’s not well-written, just that the book was good enough that I wanted more out of it.

The Language of Sand is a sweet novel that fans of women’s fiction should really enjoy.  I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for the author’s future works, and hoping for a sequel to this wonderful work.

Title: Cutting for Stone (Vintage)
Author: Abraham Verghese
ISBN: 9780375714368
Pages: 688
Release Date: February 3, 2009
Publisher:  Vintage
Genre: Multicultural Fiction, Literary Fiction
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4.75 out of 5

Summary:

A nun by the name of Sister Mary Joseph Praise is traveling from her home in India to Ethiopia when she meets a doctor named Thomas Stone.  She ends up working with him in a hospital in Ethiopia.  One day, the ever-reliable nun doesn’t turn up for her shifts as Dr. Stone’s assistant.  When they find her, they discover she is pregnant (a fact she has managed to hide from her colleagues at the hospital thus far) and about to give birth to twins.  Told from the point of view of Marion, one of the twin boys, this is an epic story of family, love, and healing.

Review:

I’ve heard a lot about how amazing Cutting for Stone is, and how it’s one of those books that I should pick up immediately.  It took me awhile, but now that I’ve finished it, I can completely understand the sentiment.  In fact, I’ve been converted.  So before I begin this review, which will completely fail to do this amazing book justice, I will say this – its reputation is well-deserved.

My summary above doesn’t even begin to cover the breadth of this astonishing novel.  So many subjects are covered here – the connection between twins, the power and responsibility of being a doctor, the elements that create a terrorist – that I can’t even begin to describe everything this book covers.  At its core, it’s about our common humanity, how we are all people just trying to get through our lives.  It’s not about the high drama of the coups and deaths, but instead, it focuses on the mundane events of daily life, and how there is so much beauty in just living.

Cutting for Stone’s setting is primarily in Ethiopia, which adds to the complexity of the story.  It’s not a book about Africa, but a novel whose setting happens to be Africa - a fine but crucial distinction.  Verghese is careful not to exploit African stereotypes or Ethiopian events in order to inject life into his novel.  His characters continue on their journeys, regardless of what is going on around them.  That’s not to say he doesn't incorporate African elements; he definitely does, and it contributes so much to the novel as a whole.  But that’s not what it’s about.

The character development in Cutting for Stone was really impressive, especially considering that Verghese is a doctor, not a writer.  He breathes life into each and every person in this book.  Everyone has a story, even the most minor characters.  At the same time, he never overwhelms the reader with too many characters.  It is incredibly well done.

I’m sure you’re reading this review and thinking “Why a 4.75 and not a 5, with all this gushing?”  Well, there was one thing I had trouble with in Cutting for Stone.  I wouldn’t even say I disliked this detail, as removing it would take a lot from the story.  It’s a book about doctors, after all.  From Dr. Thomas Stone, to Hema, Ghosh, Marion and Shiva, these characters’ chosen profession is to help people in need and to heal them if possible.  As a result, there’s a lot of blood, a lot of graphic descriptions of surgeries and such.  Because I’m squeamish and that type of thing makes me a little nauseous, I didn’t love that aspect of the book.  At the same time, I wouldn’t change a thing about Cutting for Stone – the medical detail is necessary for the story.

Cutting for Stone is an incredibly written journey that I can’t say enough good things about.  It’s definitely a long book and takes quite the time investment, but the rewards are so great that it’s worth every second you spend with it.  I’m so glad I finally gave this novel a chance, and will be on the lookout for Verghese’s next book.

Title: Confections of a Closet Master Baker: One Woman's Sweet Journey from Unhappy Hollywood Executive to Contented Country Baker
Author: Gesine Bullock-Prado
ISBN: 9780767932684
Pages: 240
Release Date: September 8, 2009
Publisher: Broadway
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Source: Library
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Confections of a Closet Master Baker was a sweet little book about Gesine Bullock-Prado’s move from unhappy Hollywood lawyer to master baker with her own bakery in Vermont.  Despite the fact that Gesine is Sandra Bullock’s sister, this is thankfully not a tell-all memoir.  Instead, it’s a look inside one day at Gesine’s bakery as she reminisces on the roads that brought her to where she is now and helped her find happiness.

I really liked Gesine’s tone through the book.  She’s clearly snarky and funny in real life, and it definitely shows in Confections of a Closet Master Baker.  She’s much more at home baking than she is in a group of people, which should appeal to avid readers – after all, aren’t most of us more comfortable with our books than in huge crowds of people?

I also really enjoyed reading about Gesine’s baking.  Her descriptions are mouth-watering and there are wonderful recipes at the end of each chapter.  While I’m not a huge baker, I definitely would love to try her apple pie recipe, just to see how it turns out!

However, I can’t say I loved Confections of a Closet Master Baker, though I really wanted to.  While I really liked the voice and descriptions, I didn’t feel like there was a lot of story.  The entire memoir was very much on the surface, though Gesine does have some very touching moments reflecting on her family.  I would have loved more meat to the story, more about what led her to pick up and move across the country, and the trials of actually setting up the bakery and getting it running.  While she does address these subjects, they only get a few pages each.  I’d have loved to know more about them!

Confections of a Closet Master Baker is an enjoyable “foodie” memoir.  It’s easy to read and will really appeal to those looking for a quick, light and fun read.

Title: The Forgotten Garden: A Novel
Author: Kate Morton
ISBN: 9781416550556
Pages: 560
Release Date: April 7, 2009
Publisher: Washington Square Press
Genre: Historical Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Mystery
Source: Publisher 
Rating: 4.75 out of 5

Summary:

When she is eighteen years old, Nell is told by her father that she isn’t her parents’ natural daughter.  She was found alone on a passenger boat at the age of 4; the only clue to her origins was a book of fairytales she was found with.  Years later, after Nell’s death, her granddaughter Cassandra follows in Nell’s footsteps in order to uncover the mystery behind her grandmother’s origins.

Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed Kate Morton’s The House at Riverton.  I thought it was a thrilling and well-crafted gothic mystery.  Therefore, when I had the chance to review the paperback release of The Forgotten Garden, I jumped at it.  Though I approached this book with some trepidation because of my high expectations and some mixed reviews I’d read, I thoroughly enjoyed every second I spent reading it.

Though The Forgotten Garden is clearly a long book, it goes very fast.  The story is so engrossing that the reader forgets the novel’s length as they become absorbed in what is going on.  Morton keeps the book interesting through multiple narrators in different time periods.  Though this has the potential to get confusing, it never is.  The author is amazing at creating distinct voices and personalities for each of these women. 

Additionally, I was impressed by how interested I was in each storyline.  Often, when a book jumps narrators, the reader is invested in some stories more than others.  In this case, I was equally enthralled by every plotline.  I devoured this book, savoring each word that Morton gave me.  I can’t describe how much I enjoyed the process of reading The Forgotten Garden.

Morton also creates a wonderful atmosphere in The Forgotten Garden. Though it isn’t nearly as creepy as many gothic mysteries, it still has an aura of mystery surrounding it.  The mystery itself was intricate and well-written.  I was very impressed by the fact that I never felt Morton was dragging things out in order to increase the length of the book.  It was as long as it needed to be to properly tell the story.

As this review makes clear, I absolutely loved The Forgotten Garden.  It’s been awhile since I’ve gotten so thoroughly lost in a novel.  I can’t wait until her next one, The Distant Hours, comes out!

I’m excited to announce I’ve completed the Chunkster Challenge! I’m especially proud of this because I recall that it took me a lot longer than this to finish it last year.

 
February 1, 2010 – January 31, 2011

1. Angelology – Danielle Trussoni
2. Sea of Poppies – Amitav Ghosh
3. The Scarlet Lion – Elizabeth Chadwick
4. The Forgotten Garden – Kate Morton
5. East of Eden – John Steinbeck
6. Cutting for Stone – Abraham Verghese

Title: The Heart Is Not a Size
Author: Beth Kephart
ISBN: 9780061470486
Pages: 256
Release Date: March 30, 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: Teen/YA
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

The summer before her senior year in high school, Georgia decides she wants to go on a community service trip to Juarez, Mexico. She wants to find a way to impact the world.  She convinces her best friend, Riley, to join her, even though Riley has emotional issues that she isn’t able to face.  Through this trip, Georgia begins to understand more about her place in the world and the meaning of friendship.

Review:

I was excited to hear Beth Kephart had an new book coming out this spring, as I read and enjoyed Nothing But Ghosts last year.  I was impressed by Beth’s ability to convey so much in such a short book, and I felt the same way about The Heart Is Not a Size.

I absolutely loved the character of Georgia.  She really made the entire book for me.  She was smart, driven, and focused, and just wanted to make a difference in the world.  She has anxiety issues that surface as the novel progresses, which means she isn’t perfect by any means.  Georgia is a character that teens will really be able to relate to, but she also sets a great example for them.

Riley’s situation was a bit more complicated.  The reader only gets a sense of what she’s experienced and how far deep her emotional issues go.  Riley won’t even discuss them with Georgia.  I loved how supportive Georgia was of her.  Georgia was incredibly loyal, even when she knew she risked alienating her dear friend because of how much she cared.  I think we all ache for a friend that true, at any age.

As always, Beth Kephart’s writing is gorgeous.  She writes with such beauty and grace, yet it also seems so natural.  There’s nothing contrived about her writing style; it is clear that the poetry of her words comes from deep within her soul.  I believe Beth’s novels are worth reading simply for her stunning prose, but the fact that she has something worthwhile makes it that much better.

The Heart Is Not a Size is a slip of a book, but don’t let that fool you.  The emotions in this novel run deep.  It’s a beautiful and sweet book that will leave you thinking long after you finish it.

Title: Get Lucky: A Novel
Author: Katherine Center
ISBN: 9780345507914
Pages: 288
Release Date: April 6, 2010
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: TLC Book Tours
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

When Sarah Harper’s career at a New York advertising agency implodes, she decides to move back to Houston temporarily to spend some time with her sister, Mackie, and Mackie’s husband Clive.  Upon arriving, Sarah learns that Mackie is unable to have children.  Sarah decides that she wants to do something good for her sister and offers to be the surrogate for Mackie and Clive’s baby.  In this sweet novel, Sarah is forced to confront the past in more ways than one and come to terms with what she’s lost, as well as what she has now.

Review:

I’ve read both of Katherine Center’s previous books, The Bright Side of Disaster and Everyone is Beautiful, so I jumped at the chance to review her newest book, Get Lucky.  I’m pleased to say that I found the same sophisticated character development and wonderful mix of hilariousness and warmth that have made her other books so great.

It was really a lot of fun to get to know Sarah through Get Lucky.  I loved her awakening over the course of the novel.  As she lets old prejudices go and opens herself up to new experiences, she learns a lot and becomes much happier with herself.  The relationship between her and Mackie was interesting, and seemed very real to me.  Neither of them were perfect, but deep down they truly loved one another, and that’s what really mattered.

I loved how well developed even the secondary characters were in this novel.  Center has a talent of giving personalities to even the most mundane characters.  She makes it easy for readers to fall in love with the people in her books.  The reader becomes invested in the future of these characters; once you start one of her books, you can’t stop until it’s finished.

The surrogate pregnancy storyline was really well done, especially when you reflect on its impact on Sarah and Mackie’s relationship.  I don’t want to go into detail and spoil the book for readers, but let me just say that if you have a sister, you’ll be thinking about the relationship between these two women long after the last pages of Get Lucky are turned.

Though Get Lucky is a short book, it packs a real punch.  There’s a lot going on in these pages.  It’s a rewarding novel that fans of women’s fiction are sure to love.

Title: Darling Jim: A Novel
Author: Christian Moerk
ISBN: 9780805092080
Pages: 320
Release Date: March 31, 2009
Publisher: Henry Holt
Genre: Mystery
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

The mail carrier in Malahide, just north of Dublin, Ireland, wasn’t prepared for what he saw.  He hadn’t seen Moira, the occupant of the house he was delivering mail to, in days, perhaps weeks, and decided he should just take a quick peek through the mail slot in order to make sure everything was all right.  However, what he saw was most definitely not all right.  In this tale of gruesome murder, Christian Moerk recounts the story of the Walsh sisters, horrible victims of their Aunt Moira.

Review:

Darling Jim caught my eye when it was first published as a book I really wanted to read.  The description from the publisher made it seem like a mesmerizing and captivating work of fiction.  What I didn’t expect, though, was how strange it would be.

This is not your average mystery – Moerk draws on fairy tales and the power of storytelling in order to tell this tale.  I’m not sure it would have worked if the setting had been somewhere less atmospheric and ancient than Ireland, but it flows very well the way it’s written.  It’s intriguing and leaves the reader guessing at every turn.  I’m not sure I can highlight the weirdness enough, though – every time I think about it, it just gets stranger.

The beginning of the book is both shocking and gruesome.  It’s also very sad, as you get to know the characters in the book, to have the knowledge that they’re dead, and that they died in a horrible way.  Moerk does a great job making the characters appeal to the reader.  The Walsh sisters are lively, beautiful women, while Jim is dark and twisted (though I must admit, I didn’t understand what was so appealing about him).  While I would have loved more character development, the nature of the novel (told mostly through diary entries) precludes that..

Darling Jim was a quick read and an enthralling gothic novel that I didn’t want to put down.  It was definitely weird, but in a great way.  It was unique and unlike anything I’ve read in recent memory.  If you’re a fan of gothic novels, and the fairy tale mix sounds appealing, I definitely recommend this dark novel.

As part of her “Detectives Around the World” series, Jen of Jen’s Book Thoughts has asked participants to blog about the country in which their chosen detective resides.  As my detective is Vish Puri from The Case of the Missing Servant by Tarquin Hall, I’m going to talk about India.

If you follow my blog regularly, you know that I am passionate about promoting the literature of South Asia through the South Asian Author Challenge. However, I'm also a big fan of another part of South Asia - the food, and specifically, Indian food.

One of the things that really struck me about The Case of the Missing Servant was the vivid descriptions of food.  They would make my mouth water, craving the delicacies that were being described.

“He sank his teeth into another hot, crispy pakora and his taste buds thrilled to the tang of salty batter, fiery chili, and the tangy red chutney in which he had drowned the illicit snack.”  - The Case of the Missing Servant, page 1

Now, you can’t tell me that doesn’t make you hungry!

Growing up, my mother cooked Indian food every night for dinner, and as a result, I don’t think I really appreciated it until I moved out of the house for college and was reduced to searching the dorm cafeteria for something that wasn’t going to make my stomach turn while eating it.

Now, I enjoy Indian food, but am just really learning to cook it properly.  I’ve had some lessons with my mom, and also have really been enjoying experimenting with Monica Bhide’s Indian fusion cookbook Modern Spice.  As I’ve become more familiar with the quirks of cooking Indian food, I’ve learned how to simplify dishes, making them less intimidating.  I’ve become more familiar with the necessary spices and comfortable with adjusting them to taste in recipes.

I’m going to share with you a recipe that I’ve come to love.  I based it on a recipe I found elsewhere, but have tweaked and and changed it enough so that it has become my own.

The dish is called Mattar Paneer and it’s one of my favorites.  It’s usually peas and cubes of Indian cheese in a tomato sauce…except I really don’t like chunks of paneer in my food, so my recipe is actually Mattar Without Paneer!  If you want to insert paneer into the recipe, just cube the paneer (about 20 ounces for this recipe), fry it in oil until it turns golden brown, and then add it to the recipe at the end and let it simmer for a few minutes.

Note: Paneer and mustard seeds can be purchased at a local Asian store.  Everything else should be readily available at a regular grocery store.

Mattar Without Paneer

Serves 4-6

2 tablespoons oil (I use olive oil, you can also use ghee, or clarified butter)
1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 teaspoon ginger, minced
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste, if necessary)
1/2 teaspoon garam masala (plus more to taste, if necessary)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (plus more to taste, if necessary)
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder (plus more to taste, if necessary)
3/4 teaspoon coriander powder (plus more to taste, if necessary)
1 teaspoon cumin powder (plus more to taste, if necessary)
1/4 cup canned tomato sauce (or as needed)
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/4 cup heavy cream

1) Heat the oil, then add mustard and cumin seeds until the mustard seeds start to splatter.

2) Add the onions, garlic, and ginger.  Cook until the onions are translucent.

3) Add the diced tomato (juices and all!).  Add the sugar and salt, plus more salt if necessary (to taste).  Cook for about 5 minutes, or until tomatoes have softened.

4) Add garam masala, cayenne pepper, turmeric, coriander, and cumin powders.

5) Add canned tomato sauce to thicken up the sauce. If you add too much, add some water.  (This also goes for any of the seasonings – if you add too much of anything, just add some water, and then beef up what you need over again.)

6) Add peas and cook until tender.

7) Add heavy cream and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.  At this point, you can beef up your spices to taste if necessary.  I usually add more cumin powder, turmeric, garam masala, and cayenne pepper.

It only takes about 20 minutes to cook, and I usually serve it over basmati rice.  If you give it a try, leave a comment letting me know if you liked it!

Title: The Case of the Missing Servant: A Vish Puri Mystery
Author: Tarquin Hall
ISBN: 9781416583684
Pages: 320
Release Date: June 2, 2009
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Mystery, Multicultural Fiction
Source: Library
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Vish Puri is often called the “Sherlock Holmes” of India, though he takes pride in the fact that Holmes was fictitious and Puri most certainly is not.  Clever, resourceful, and a lover of fine food, Puri knows how to get things done and find answers others can’t.  When Puri is hired to find a servant girl known only as Mary, he faces his most challenging case yet.

Review:

When Jen of Jen’s Book Thoughts sent around an email a few months ago announcing a new “Detectives Around the World” feature, I immediately knew I was in.  One of my main passions with my blog is to expose people to literature about South Asia, so this seemed like the perfect chance to do just that!  Plus it gave me an excuse to read Tarquin Hall’s The Case of the Missing Servant, the first book in the new Vish Puri detective series, something I’d been wanting to do for some time.

I have to say, I absolutely loved this book.  The descriptions are so vivid and detailed that The Case of the Missing Servant will make you feel as if you are in India.  Hall does an incredible job making India come to life for the reader.  I knew the author was British, but when I found out he lives part-time in Delhi, I wasn’t surprised at all.  Tarquin Hall knows India inside and out.

One thing that really struck me about The Case of the Missing Servant was the dialogue, and specifically, the sentence structure and use of language by the characters.  I was really shocked at how spot on it is.  I’ve never actively thought about how native Indians speak English until I read this book.  Hall does such a wonderful job with it, it’s just another intricate detail of this incredibly wrought work.

The mystery in this novel is very well done.  I have to admit, I had no idea what the outcome of the book would be and was very impressed with Vish Puri for figuring it out.  Hall is a fine mystery writer and knows how to keep the reader intrigued as he takes them through the twists and turns of the plot.  He clearly put a lot of thought into this book.

I can’t recommend The Case of the Missing Servant highly enough.  Whether you’re itching for a new detective novel or just want a taste of bustling India, this book is fun, smart, well-written, and entirely absorbing.

Title: Dreaming in Hindi: Coming Awake in Another Language
Author: Katherine Russell Rich
ISBN: 9780618155453
Pages: 384
Release Date: July 7, 2009
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Source: Library
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

At the age of 45, Katherine Russell Rich took a chance on something – while on a writing assignment in India, she decided to move to the northern city of Udaipur and study Hindi while living with an Indian host family.  This memoir presents the sum of her experiences, as well as her reflections on living in India and research into learning other languages.

Review:

Dreaming in Hindi was an interesting look at the process of learning another language, as well as life in India during a charged period of sectarian violence.  I first picked this book up because, though I don’t speak Hindi (I speak our local Southern language, Telugu), I’ve always thought about trying to learn it.  I was eager to learn something from this memoir, and I definitely did.

There are a lot of different parts to this book.  Rich discusses what scientists and doctors have learned about the process of learning another language – how it’s done, what diseases might affect it, and so on.  I found these parts of the book to be incredibly interesting.  Rich does a wonderful job making her learning relevant and applying it to language studies in general.

Rich was in India during 9/11, and as a result of that and other religious terrorism in India (it’s a part of everyday life there, unfortunately), there is a bit of a charged atmosphere to this book.  Rich relates these events to the reader and describes how they affect the area she’s living in.  It was very interesting, if sad, to see the tensions between Hindus and Muslims.

The personal part of this memoir is where it didn’t work for me.  While Rich’s experiences were very interesting, I didn’t love the way they were communicated to the reader.  This memoir is large and fluid, jumping from one area to another.  As a result, it’s hard to keep track of what’s going on.  I had a very difficult time figuring out who people were and keeping them straight.  While I did enjoy reading the book as a whole, I found it to be slow and sometimes difficult to get through because of these frustrations.

I’d recommend Dreaming in Hindi to those interested in the process of learning a language and the science behind it.  It’s also a good memoir of India, though as I mentioned, the style can be difficult at times.

Title: Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter
Author: A.E. Moorat
Source: Amazon Vine
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 3 out of 5

Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter is a fun mindless romp.  It’s an alternate history of Queen Victoria’s life, one in which demons, werewolves and zombies exist.  What’s more the underworld has designs on the British throne.  It’s very satirical, and though it can get old at times, in my opinion, it’s a lot more creative than the recent literary mash-ups.  If you’re looking for a light, easy read that will keep you entertained (but aren’t searching for any sort of real literature), this might be a fun one for you to try.

Title: David Sedaris: Live For Your Listening Pleasure [AUDIOBOOK]
Author: David Sedaris
Source: Publisher
Genre: Non-Fiction, Essays
Rating: 4 out of 5

I’ve been a fan of David Sedaris for awhile, so I was excited to learn he had a new audiobook coming out called Live For Your Listening Pleasure.  There is no accompanying print book to this release, but that didn’t bother me because I am firmly of the opinion that Sedaris is better listened to than read.  This audio was no exception.  Sedaris was hilarious, and I absolutely loved his stories.  My favorite was the last one, where he read from some of his diary entries on his last book tour.  My only complaint is that it was so short!  It was only about an hour long, and I just wanted a lot more.  I definitely recommend this audio to Sedaris fans and newcomers alike!

Title: Good Things
Author: Mia King
Source: Personal Copy
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Rating: 4 out of 5

I actually read the sequel to Good Things first by accident, called Table Manners, but I enjoyed that book enough to want to come back and read this one.  I enjoyed Deirdre’s character evolution in Good Things, though I found her to be more selfish in this novel than the sequel.  Though I usually am a stickler for reading books in order, I actually didn’t mind the way I read them.  I enjoyed seeing the evolution of people and places that I liked in the second book, though now I have a much greater understanding of them.  This was a fun, light book that I had a good time reading.

Title: The Next Best Thing
Author: Kristan Higgins
Source: Amazon Vine
Genre: Chick Lit
Rating: 4/5

I really enjoyed Kristan Higgins’ Too Good To Be True, so when I found out she had a new book coming out, I knew I wanted to read it.  Lucy is a great character but emotionally stunted by her husband’s premature death.  She’s afraid to trust, but also afraid to take leaps in her career.  She’s the bread baker at her family’s bakery, even though her dream is to be a pastry chef.  I loved how she comes into her own in The Next Best Thing, and how Adam definitely helps with that.  He is understanding and sweet (definitely more understanding than is warranted, considering how messed up Lucy really is), and a really appealing character.  I enjoyed this novel of personal development and growth, and the message that you can’t go through life without trust and love.

Title: The Tale of Halcyon Crane: A Novel
Author: Wendy Webb
ISBN: 9780805091403
Pages: 352
Release Date: March 30, 2010
Publisher: Holt Paperbacks
Genre: Mystery
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Hallie James’ mother died in a fire when she was just five years old and she was raised by her father, who now has Alzheimer’s.  However, when she receives a letter in the mail from her mother, everything she thought she knew about her childhood vanishes, leaving a gaping hole in its place.  What’s more, her mother has recently passed away.  Hallie travels to Grand Manitou, an island in Lake Michigan where her mother lived, to understand why her father lied to her and to uncover the secrets of her past.

Review:

I am a huge fan of ghost stories and mysteries, so when I first heard about The Tale of Halcyon Crane, I immediately knew I wanted to read it.  Wendy Webb has created a wonderful gothic mystery in this novel, full of secrets and betrayals.  It’s definitely creepy – this is not a book I would want to read late at night, during a thunderstorm.  I found it to be deliciously haunting with incredible atmosphere.

Hallie was a solid main character that I really appreciated.  Her life was completely turned upside down by the news of her mother, and while she was definitely emotional, she also wanted to get to the bottom of the mystery.  She had a strong, self-sustaining personality and was a lot of fun to get to know.  Admittedly, her romance in the book came on a bit suddenly, but it was sweet to watch her open up to someone else.

The mystery in The Tale of Halcyon Crane is intriguing and really will pique the reader’s interest.  It’s not so much about what happened, or the solution – by the time the book reaches that point, the reader (as well as Hallie) has already realized what was going on.  It’s more about the development of the story and the frightening occurrences that surround it.  I thoroughly enjoyed the process of reading this book, of watching this meticulously crafted tale unfold.  I had to battle dueling impulses while reading – part of me wanted to rush through it, to get to the end, while the other wanted to savor ever carefully drawn word.  This is a book that you’ll really want to experience.

The Tale of Halcyon Crane was a thoroughly enjoyable book.  I’m very sad that it’s over, and that Webb doesn’t have an extensive gothic mystery backlist I can immediately devour.  All I can say is I’ll be watching Wendy Webb’s future career with a lot of interest.

Title: Solar
Author: Ian McEwan
ISBN: 9780385533416
Pages: 304
Release Date: March 30, 2010
Publisher: Nan A. Talese
Genre: Literary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

Nobel prize winning physicist Michael Beard is a consummate adulterer.  Married 5 times, he has had innumerable affairs, never able to stay faithful to his current wife.  This time around, the tables have turned:  his wife Patrice is having an affair.  Unsure how to handle this ironic turn of events, Beard allows it to consume him in this novel of murder, betrayal, and infidelity.

Review:

I’m a big fan of Ian McEwan’s, so I jumped at the chance to review his new novel Solar.  I had high expectations, and while some of them were met, this book fell short in others.

As always, McEwan’s writing was simply beautiful.  His prose is fluid, softening even the most shocking of blows.  I’m a firm believer in the idea that his novels are worth reading just for the writing, and Solar is no exception to this steadfast rule.  The indescribably wonderful language used in the book makes even the slowest scenes move swiftly and beautifully.

The main character, Michael Beard, leaves something to be desired.  McEwan intentionally made him the shallowest of all self-involved creatures, only caring about himself and his desires.  He is impossible to like; readers will not be able to squeeze even a single ounce of sympathy out for such a loathsome man.  I believe that, through Beard, McEwan was trying to make Solar a dark comedy, but I’m not sure it worked for me.  It was difficult to read a book about a man I despised, though I did enjoy watching him get his comeuppance more than once in the book (if you’ve read it, you know what scenes I’m talking about).

The global warming aspect of the story was certainly interesting.  I thought the debate between scientists about the issue, even if Beard was halfheartedly involved, skating by on his Nobel, was thought provoking.  There is a lot of ego in this novel, which makes me wonder if it is also a satire on the scientific community.  Unfortunately, since I don’t know much about that group, I can’t say for certain that I appreciated everything McEwan was trying to do.

Overall, I did enjoy reading Solar, though with the (intentionally) repulsive main character and not being able to fully appreciate the satirical themes, it didn’t thrill me nearly as much as his other works.  However, if you’re a fan of literary fiction and are familiar with the scientific community, I’d suggest picking this one up immediately – you will likely love this book.

Title: Before I Fall
Author: Lauren Oliver
ISBN: 9780061726804
Pages: 480
Release Date: March 2, 2010
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Teen/YA
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Samantha Kingston, knows as Sam to her friends, dies the night of February 12.  The next thing she knows, she’s waking up to the sound of her alarm.  The date?  Friday, February 12.  As Sam is forced to relive the day of her death, she begins to realize that she can choose to do things differently, and just maybe change the outcome of the day.

Review:

I knew what Before I Fall was about before I started reading it, but somehow it still hit me like a ton of bricks.  It was completely different than what I expected.  I couldn’t put it down, reading through every twist and turn of Sam’s fateful day.

I really liked the character of Sam.  She wasn’t perfect, but she was a good person.  Her character really evolved over the course of the novel.  She began to realize how her actions affected other people and to understand that she didn’t operate in a vacuum.  Even if she found something funny, it might harm someone else.

I loved how nuanced all the characters were in Before I Fall.  There was no good and bad.  People weren’t mean because they were horrible people.  Instead, the book showed that deep down, even the most confident people are terrified.  It’s not all black and white.  I loved how Oliver gave depth to each of her characters.

The “Groundhog Day” effect was employed really well in this novel.  I loved how Sam chose to act differently each time through.  However, she didn’t let her fear and anger over the situation control her.  She tried to take the reins, figuring that maybe if she could do things better the next time, all would be well.  I loved how she discovered that no matter what, she couldn’t control everything.  It wasn’t all about her in the end.

Before I Fall was an intriguing and unique book that I highly recommend to adults and teens alike.  I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of reading it and can’t wait to see what Lauren Oliver comes up with next.

Title: Secret Daughter: A Novel
Author: Shilpi Somaya-Gowda
ISBN: 9780061922312
Pages: 352
Release Date: March 9, 2010
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:

When she gives birth to a daughter in a small village in India, Kavita is fearful for the fate of her baby.  Her husband Jasu has made it clear that they need a son and cannot afford to raise a little girl.  Desperate to protect her daughter from a cruel fate, she secretly takes her to Mumbai and leaves her at an orphanage, hoping that she may one day have a good life.

In San Diego, American doctor Somer is devastated by her inability to have children.  She agrees to consider adoption from her husband Krishnan’s home country of India, and they end up bringing a beautiful one-year old girl into their family.  As their daughter, Asha, grows, she begins to question her Indian heritage and origins, wanting to know more about the place and people she came from.

Review:

I cannot put into words how much I loved Shilpi Somaya Gowda’s Secret Daughter.  Though I will try in this review, I assure you that my words will not do justice to this amazing piece of literature.  Gowda writes with such grace and wisdom, it is impossible to believe that this is her debut novel.  Her prose is lyrical and beautiful, yet clear and precise.  Her writing makes the book easy to read and keeps the heavy subjects discussed within its pages from being a weight on the reader.

Gowda also does an excellent job making each and every major character in this novel a sympathetic one.  Somer, Krishnan, Asha, Jasu, Kavita – all these people want different things.  Sometimes, the desires of one character clash with the needs of another, yet Gowda manages to write it such that the reader can sympathize with both characters at the same time.  When Somer went to India and felt frustrated by the cultural differences, I understood her pain at the same time I felt Krishnan’s anger that she wasn’t trying hard enough.  It was an amazing feat, and it happens again and again over the course of Secret Daughter. 

The discussion of the culture clash between America and India was incredibly well done.  Gowda focuses on how alien India can be for Americans, or even for Indians who aren’t used to the pace and style of life.  She also beautifully describes the feelings of any person of Indian heritage learning about their home country.  She put thoughts onto paper that I would never even have known how to put into words.  Gowda described exactly what was in my heart – the feeling that India is a country of opposites, a dichotomy.  The pride one can feel in being from a country of such beauty with such richness of culture, coupled with the shame that, statistically, daughters are not valued as much as sons.  When Asha learns about this fact for the first time in the novel, Gowda’s words brought tears to my eyes, it was so beautifully expressed:

“‘We are a minority in this country.  You know the birth rates are all bungled up in India, don’t you?  We have something like nine hundred fifty girls born for every one thousand boys.’  Meena stares straight ahead.  ‘Mother India does not love all her children equally, it seems.’” – Page 229

I loved all the stories discussed in this novel, but it was Asha’s search for a sense of identity that spoke to me the most.  She had no sense of belonging at the beginning of the novel.  Though she knew her parents loved her, she needed more than that to find her place in the world.  I loved the realizations that she came to as the novel progressed – where her identity really was, what really mattered, and what the power of a mother’s love can do.

This review is already so long, yet there is so much more I can say.  But I’ll end it with this:  read this book.  It’s a beautiful portrait of family, culture, and the importance of understanding your heritage, while also being a testament to the love of all our mothers.  It doesn’t matter what culture or background you are – Gowda’s incredible writing and compelling story will pull you in and not let you go until the last pages of the novel are turned.  I can’t say enough good things about Secret Daughter and only hope that you will love it as much as I did.

Number of book reviews posted: 35
Number of books read: 39
Number of pages read: 14,528

5 Star Review:

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List of book reviews: (in alphabetical order by author’s last name)

The Girl Who Chased The Moon – Sarah Addison Allen

The Secrets We Keep – Colette Caddle

The Scarlet Lion – Elizabeth Chadwick

The Dark Is Rising series – Susan Cooper

The Last Bridge – Teri Coyne

Merlin’s Harp – Anne Crompton

Sex, Murder and a Double Latte – Kyra Davis

The Language of Secrets – Dianne Dixon

The Big Love – Sarah Dunn

The Eyre Affair – Jasper Fforde

Sea of Poppies – Amitav Ghosh

Unfinished Desires – Gail Godwin

Arcadia Falls – Carol Goodman

Don’t You Forget About Me – Jancee Dunn

The Lost City of Z – David Grann

After – Kristin Harmel

The Traitor’s Wife – Susan Higginbotham

Young Bess – Margaret Irwin

Almost Home – Pam Jenoff

Spiced – Dalia Jurgensen

Second Time Around – Beth Kendrick

The Piano Teacher – Janice Y.K. Lee

Beautiful Dead, Book 1: Jonas – Eden Maguire

The Sky Is Everywhere – Jandy Nelson

The Opposite of Me – Sarah Pekkanen

The Dead Travel Fast – Deanna Raybourn

The Happiness Project – Gretchen Rubin

The Forest of Hands and Teeth – Carrie Ryan

The Unwritten Rule – Elizabeth Scott

Flawless – Scott Andrew Selby & Greg Campbell

Blood Vines – Erica Spindler

Shadow Princess – Indu Sundaresan

Angelology – Danielle Trussoni

Magnolia Wednesdays – Wendy Wax

Pieces of Happily Ever After – Irene Zutell

Books I’ve read this month: (in alphabetical order by author’s last name)

Restoring Harmony – Joelle Anthony

The Language of Sand – Ellen Block

Confections of a Closet Master Baker – Gesine Bullock-Prado

Get Lucky – Katherine Center

Claude and Camille – Stephanie Cowell

London is the Best City in America – Laura Dave

Origins – Neil deGrasse Tyson & Donald Goldsmith

Balancing Acts – Zoe Fishman

Arcadia Falls – Carol Goodman

Secret Daughter – Shilpi Somaya Gowda

The Lost City of Z – David Grann

The Case of the Missing Servant – Tarquin Hall

False Mermaid – Erin Hart

The Next Best Thing – Kristan Higgins

Young Bess – Margaret Irwin

Second Time Around – Beth Kendrick

The Heart Is Not A Size – Beth Kephart

Henry’s Sisters – Cathy Lamb

The Spellmans Strike Again – Lisa Lutz

Solar – Ian McEwan

Dream Girl – Lauren Mechling

Darling Jim – Christian Moerk

The Forgotten Garden – Kate Morton

The Sky Is Everywhere – Jandy Nelson

The Devil’s Star – Jo Nesbo

Little Bird of Heaven – Joyce Carol Oates

Before I Fall – Lauren Oliver

The Lightning Thief – Rick Riordan

The Sea of Monsters – Rick Riordan

Dreaming in Hindi – Katherine Russell Rich

Black Hills – Nora Roberts

Savor the Moment – Nora Roberts

Watermark – Vanitha Sankaran

Devotion – Dani Shapiro

Stitches – David Small

Blood Vines – Erica Spindler

East of Eden – John Steinbeck

Cutting for Stone – Abraham Verghese

The Tale of Halcyon Crane – Wendy Webb