Title: The Adoration of Jenna Fox
Author: Mary E. Pearson
ISBN: 9780312594411
Pages: 288
Release Date: April 29, 2008
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.
Genre: Teen/YA, Dystopian, Science Fiction
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

Jenna Fox wakes up one morning to find she has no memory of her life.  She knows she’s seventeen years old, and that she’s been in a coma for a year.  But why can’t she remember what happened before that?  Why are there locked doors in the house, and why do her parents whisper when they think she isn’t listening?  What are they hiding from her?

Review:

I’ve been enjoying the wave of dystopian novels I’ve been reading lately, so when I heard about The Adoration of Jenna Fox, my curiosity was definitely piqued.  I’m glad I finally got around to reading this much-hyped novel, though I had some mixed feelings about it once I was finished.

I liked the character of Jenna and her fight for independence.  Watching her grow, remember, and process the information she was given was definitely satisfying.  I also appreciated the world that Pearson built – though everything isn’t perfect, it’s not doom and gloom like a lot of dystopian novels.  Also, the fact that it’s a standalone novel makes it refreshing.

However, I wasn’t sure what to make of the novel as a whole.  I figured out the secret about 30 pages in, which took a lot of the fun out of the book, as information doesn’t start getting revealed until about halfway through.  Though I liked the fact that it was a much quieter novel than most works of dystopian fiction, the ending was a bit anti-climactic for my tastes.  That’s not to say the ending was bad, it just seemed to be building up to something…and then nothing really happened.

Despite my mixed feelings on The Adoration of Jenna Fox, I’m glad I picked up this book.  It’s nice to know what everyone was raving about, and while it wasn’t necessarily the best choice for me, I know fans of YA dystopian fiction will likely love this one.

Well, it’s over.  BEA 2010 has come and gone.  It was my first time attending, and let me tell you, no words can accurately convey the utter chaos that is this event.  I am planning on doing a wrap-up post, though it’s not going to be a blow-by-blow account, simply because everything is so jumbled in my mind at this point!  I’ll let you know my favorite parts of the week.

Looking forward, this week is going to be focused on unwinding, relaxing, and catching up.  I spent most of the day yesterday just sitting in my chair and reading, finishing two great books – Half Life by Roopa Farooki and My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares.  Though I did get some wonderful books at BEA, those are probably going to go on the back burner until closer to their release dates.

I also have some major thesis work to do.  Though I got some good work in before BEA, now I have to go back and review everything I’ve done so far, no easy task!  Since classes start next week (ugh!), I need to be productive this week.  Not to mention I have a serious amount of work to catch up on.
 

Reviews posted this week:

Title: For Keeps
Author: Natasha Friend
ISBN: 9780670011902
Pages: 272
Release Date: April 6, 2010
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Genre: Teen/YA
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

It might be corny, but even though she’s a junior in high school, Josie’s best friend is her mom, Kate.  Kate was only 16 when she got pregnant with Josie, and as a result, they’re more like sisters than they are mother and daughter.  However, Kate starts dating an new guy, Jonathan, and the mother-daughter dynamic begins to change in negative ways.  Throw in a new guy for Josie and the reappearance of Josie’s father’s parents in town, and Josie just might have more than she can handle!

Review:

For Keeps is an appealing and entertaining teenage story that was both well-written and fun to read.  The main character, Josie, is complex and easy to sympathize with.  Sure, sometimes she can act unfairly towards her mother, but she is a very realistic teenager.  Natasha Friend accomplished quite a feat with Josie – she manages to be a true teen without being unnecessarily frustrating.  She’s deep, complex, and best of all, she wants more out of life than just boys and alcohol.  School, soccer, friends and family – these are all very important to Josie.

I really appreciated that “getting the guy” wasn’t the main storyline in this novel, by any stretch of the imagination.  While I do understand that boys are incredibly important to teenage girls, and they may seem like a life or death situation at that age, I just have trouble taking it seriously.  As an adult, when I read about a teen talking about “love” or “forever,” I often roll my eyes.  As a result, I enjoyed this book a lot because it wasn’t necessarily about a guy, though it did have that element.

I loved the relationship between Josie and Kate – it reminded me of the relationship between Lorelai and Rory in Gilmore Girls, a TV show I really enjoyed.  At the same time, though, they definitely hit some rough patches in this book.  It’s interesting to see how the mother/daughter dynamic changes in this novel, especially considering that sometimes Josie seems like the mother and Kate the daughter.

I also appreciated Josie’s best friend, Liv.  She wasn’t afraid to be her own person, and expressed it through the way she dressed.  She didn’t care what people might say about her – she wanted to do her own thing.  Her two dads only added to her appealing nature and situation.

For Keeps had a lot going on, but it was never too much or overdone.  Friend makes sure to keep the reader hooked on the novel from beginning to end.  Josie is a realistic teenager who has a lot to deal with in this book, and it’s a lot of fun to read.  I definitely am looking forward to seeing what Natasha Friend does next.

Title: The Bride Will Keep Her Name: A Novel
Author: Jan Goldstein
ISBN: 9780307345929
Pages: 272
Release Date: June 16, 2009
Publisher: Shaye Areheart Books
Genre: Mystery, Chick Lit
Source: Library
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Madison Mandelbaum thinks she’s the luckiest girl in the world – after all, she’s about to marry Colin Darcy, the man of her dreams.  One week before the wedding, however, she receives an email that makes her question whether she really knows the man she’s marrying.  She begins to investigate, only to realize that Colin may be connected to a murder.

Review:

The Bride Will Keep Her Name was a fun mix of chick lit and mystery.  The entire thing takes place in the week before Madison and Colin’s wedding, so it moves at a brisk pace and is never slow or plodding.  The mystery is interesting and keeps the reader hooked to the novel.  As more questions are raised about Colin, the reader becomes more invested in uncovering the truth behind what happened.

Madison is a heroine you can really root for.  She’s smart, fun, and resourceful, and along with her two friends Kat and Abby, she does a pretty good job as an amateur detective!  She’s definitely quirky, and setting the novel before her wedding only adds to her neurotic (and amusing) behavior.  Her issues with her mother give her character some depth, which can sometimes be lacking in breezy novels such as this.

Admittedly, The Bride Will Keep Her Name does take some unbelievable twists and turns, but if you can suspend your sense of disbelief, then you’ll be able to appreciate this novel for what it is.  It’s a fun, diverting summer read that would be perfect on a beach or by the pool!

Title: Dream Life
Author: Lauren Mechling
ISBN: 9780385735230
Pages: 336
Release Date: January 12, 2010
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Genre: Teen/YA
Source: Author
Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:

Dream Life picks up right where Dream Girl left off, but there’s no rest for Claire.  Andy is acting distant and strange, which makes Claire think that he’s not interested in her anymore.  To make matters worse, Becca has started hanging out with her friends from her old school, leaving Claire behind.  But Claire can tell there’s something that Becca isn’t telling her, and when she finds out, it will start her down a whole new path with a mystery along the way.

Review: 

I thought Dream Life sounded like an interesting book when I was offered it for review months ago.  I accepted it, and before tackling it, went back and read Dream Girl, the first book in Mechling’s series.  While I didn’t love Dream Girl, I was interested enough to proceed with the second book.

I have to admit, I found Dream Life a little bit silly.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s an entertaining book and I wholeheartedly believe it’s one teens will enjoy.  Claire is an endearing and loyal character who wants to do the right thing and help her friends.  She also has a New York City lifestyle that is enviable, but not ridiculous.  She’s the type of girl any teen would want as a best friend – funny, smart, and incredibly resourceful.

However, I felt like Dream Life was much better suited for the teen crowd than as a book with crossover adult appeal.  The mystery was interesting, but I found the entire premise of the book a little strange.  I was intrigued enough to keep reading, but it didn’t capture me the way I would have hoped.  I just had trouble buying the setup of the novel.

Dream Life is a novel I’ll definitely recommend to teens.  Mechling is a talented and creative writer, and if she chooses to write a novel for adults, I won’t hesitate to pick it up.

Title: Something Like Fate
Author: Susane Colasanti
ISBN: 9780670011469
Pages: 288
Release Date: May 4, 2010
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Genre: Teen/YA
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Lani’s always been one to do her own thing.  She’s drifted away from most of her old friends because she just doesn’t have anything in common with them anymore.  She still is close to Erin, her best friend, but that’s because they have a bond that is unbreakable – or so Lani thinks.  When Erin starts dating Jason, Lani realizes that she may have feelings for him, which will test the boundaries of her friendship with Erin.

Review:

Something Like Fate is an interesting novel about the strength of teenage friendship, especially when tested by a boy.  Though the overall plotline is similar to Elizabeth Scott’s The Unwritten Rule, Something Like Fate stands on its own two feet as a unique and satisfying novel.

Lani was a well-written character who I appreciated.  I loved that she was concerned with the environment and very conscious about recycling.  Her love of astrology was amusing and made her multifaceted.  I also enjoyed getting to know Blake, whose deepest darkest secret was that he’s gay.  Colasanti did a great job injecting issues that are important to teens today in this book.

The friendship between Lani and Erin was definitely interesting.  On one hand, they seem to have very little in common, but on the other hand, they have a deep bond that stretches back for years.  Colasanti does an excellent job discussing what happens when you “grow out of” your friends, for lack of a better phrase. 

I enjoyed Something Like Fate – it was a light, fun, and easy read.  It’s a great book for teens and adults alike.

Title: How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly
Author: Connie May Fowler
Genre: Literary Fiction
Source: Publisher

From the publisher’s website:

How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly is the transcendent story of a young woman who, in a twenty-four hour period, journeys through startling moments of self-discovery that lead her to a courageous and life-altering decision.

Why I Abandoned the Book:

I stopped reading How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly about 70 pages in.  I just could not get into the storyline.  It’s very random, almost stream-of-consciousness at times.  While that works for me sometimes, I think part of the problem was that wasn’t in the mood for that sort of story, and didn’t expect it at all based on the description.  The plot also moves very slowly; I don’t feel like anything really happened by the time I put it down.  I didn’t really connect with the main character and was frustrated by the way she let her husband walk all over her.  I’m assuming that will change as the novel progresses, but I decided not to see it through.

A Quick Look at Reviews:

LibraryThing has a total of 21 reviews of this book, with an average rating of 3.56.  Many reviewers noted the same issues I did.  Apparently it picks up quite a bit in the last 1/3 of the book.  As far as blog reviews, Sandy from You’ve Gotta Read This loved this book, so I’d definitely recommend going over there to read her review.

I borrowed this format for reviewing unfinished books from Beth Fish Reads.

Title: The Icing on the Cupcake: A Novel
Author: Jennifer Ross
Genre: Chick Lit
Source: Author

From the publisher’s website:

In Ansley Waller’s world of Southern belles and gentlemen, getting a diamond ring isn’t just important—it’s the ultimate goal. So when her fiancé, Parish, unceremoniously kicks her to the curb and cancels their upcoming wedding, Ansley is so ashamed that she decides to leave Dallas and make a fresh start. In a surprise move, she heads to New York City to live with her recently widowed grandmother, Vivian, whom she’s never met. In turn, Vivian gives Ansley a no-nonsense ultimatum: Rather than wallow in misery, either get a job or go home.

The Waller women have a tradition of baking their way out of sorrow. So Ansley mixes batch after batch of creative cupcakes—Black Bottom Heartache, Moving Blues Banana Caramel, Tres Leches Made Small. Before long, she’s opening up her own cupcake shop and even trying her hand at dating. But the ways of Manhattan’s eligible bachelors are altogether different from their Southern counterparts, and Ansley’s nearly fail-safe tactics fall flat. And worse, someone’s got a half-baked scheme to sabotage Ansley’s new life. It’ll take a cup of courage and a dash of Southern charm, plus a few secret ingredients, if Ansley hopes to pull off her recipe for success.

Why I abandoned this book:

I gave up on The Icing on the Cupcake about 75 pages in.  The main character, Ansley, was very unlikeable, though that was purposeful – I assume the rest of the book was about her “redemption.”  She vacillated heavily between being a horrible person and resolving that she wanted to be a better person.  It just seemed strange that she’d have such drastic turnarounds on what seemed like a whim.  Additionally, the book could have used some tighter editing.  It seemed like a cute story, and may have turned around had I stuck with it, but I just didn’t care enough about the character to see her through

As a side note, the book does contain a lot of great cupcake recipes and tips on baking which I found very interesting.

A quick look at reviews:

Amazon.com has 8 customer reviews, 7 of which are five star, and 1 is four star, so they definitely disagree with me.  LibraryThing has just one review, at two stars, and the reviewer seems to agree with me about the editing issues.  There are 12 ratings on GoodReads, with an average of 3.92 stars.  As far as blog reviews go, Booking Mama enjoyed the book, so make sure to check out her review.

I borrowed this format for reviewing unfinished books from Beth Fish Reads.

Title: Haunt Me Still
Author: Jennifer Lee Carrell
ISBN: 9780525950776
Pages: 400
Release Date: April 15, 2010
Publisher: Dutton
Genre: Historical Thriller
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:

Kate Stanley is thrilled when she’s asked by Lady Nairn to direct a production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.  Lady Nairn, a once-infamous actress, has asked Kate to come to her castle in Scotland, albeit with a hidden agenda.  Little does Kate know that she will be drawn into the world of intrigue and mystery surrounding Macbeth, and that the play’s old curse will fall on her and those surrounding her.

Review:

I really enjoyed Jennifer Lee Carrell’s Interred With Their Bones, so I was excited when I discovered there was a sequel coming out.  It’s not really necessary to read the first book in order to understand this one, as the focus in this book is plot rather than characters, but I must admit I did enjoy the first more than the second.

There is a lot of history in Haunt Me Still.  Carrell relies on historical events and scholars’ deductions as the basis for this book.  There’s an author’s note at the end of the novel that’s about 10 pages long, which focuses on the truth behind this book.  At the same time, though, there is almost too much history in the novel, and it comes at the expense of any real character development.  Sometimes the plot gets bogged down by the details.

The mystery in Haunt Me Still centers on an original manuscript of Macbeth, one that Kate has to find.  I found this premise incredibly interesting, especially since the peculiarities of Macbeth lend themselves to the idea of this manuscript actually existing.  The inclusion of the supernatural didn’t work so well for me, but other readers might appreciate it.  Additionally, the plot was a bit convoluted – it was very complicated, and the sheer number of historical facts and details made the story hard to follow at times.

If the idea of these historical thrillers based in Shakespeare interest you, I’d definitely pick up Interred With Their Bones.  If you love that book, you might enjoy Haunt Me Still, but I wouldn’t recommend starting with this one.

Title: Dead in the Water: A Mystery
Author: Meredith Cole
ISBN: 9780312625047
Pages: 272
Release Date: May 11, 2010
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Photographer Lydia McKenzie is back, only this time her new project is taking pictures of prostitutes along the Brooklyn waterfront.  Once again, her line of work and choice of subject matter take an unexpected turn, as the prostitute she’s been photographing winds up dead, and Lydia is the one who is unlucky enough to find the body.  Her involvement with the victim exposes her to the Brooklyn underworld of gangs, pimps, and hookers as she tries to solve the mystery of the murder.

Review:

I enjoyed Meredith Cole’s Posed for Murder so I was excited to discover that it was going to be the first in a series.  Lydia is a bright, resourceful young woman who is an appealing protagonist.  Her combative relationship with Detective Romero of the NYPD only adds to her allure.  She’s brave and wants to help others, yet doesn’t take unnecessary chances.  She’s strong enough of a character to carry her own series, so I’m thrilled that Cole has chosen to stick with her and develop the character further in this book.

The mystery in Dead in the Water was very well done.  I had my suspicions about who the murderer really was, but Cole really threw me for a loop.  She keeps it intriguing, which makes it a very entertaining read.

I also appreciated the setting – the underbelly of Brooklyn.  It was interesting to see the pimps, prostitutes, and other characters that Lydia met along the way.  I also liked reading about how her project affected her – one the one hand, it made her more cynical, but it also made her a lot more aware of the victimization of these women.

Dead in the Water was an easy, enjoyable read that is great for mystery lovers.  You don’t need to read the first book in the series to understand this one, but I recommend it just because it’s a fun book as well!

Well, it’s here!  Tomorrow morning, I’ll be leaving for BEA in New York, and I cannot wait.  I still have a lot to do before I leave, but I’m looking forward to a week full of bookish events.  I’m planning on taking my camera and taking pictures, and if I do, I will post them.  However, I can’t promise how much wrapping up I’ll do on my blog – it depends on how tired I am once I get back and how much work has piled up while I’ve been gone!

I’m looking forward to a lot of the week, but the Scholastic and Penguin publishing house tours are really at the forefront of my mind.  Additionally, the HarperCollins party at the Algonquin for bloggers should be a real treat.  Most of all, I can’t wait to meet everyone and talk books!

Before that, though, there’s the LOST finale tonight.  I have such bittersweet feelings about it.  On one hand, I’m excited to finally wrap up the stories and learn the answers to the questions that still haven’t been addressed.  On the other, LOST was so unique and creative, I’m so sorry to see it go and wonder if anything will live up to its awesomeness ever again!  If you aren’t a LOST fan, you’re probably tired of people waxing on about it, but if you are, you know what I mean.

As I said in my BEA + Book Blogger Con post, I will have reviews posting every day of this week.  I will be checking email while I’m gone (but on my phone, so don’t expect eloquent replies!).  I don’t know if I’ll be on Twitter – I can tweet on my phone, but I’m not sure I want to spend time on that when there will be so much to do and see!

Reviews posted this week:

Title: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Author: Rebecca Skloot
ISBN: 9781400052172
Pages: 384
Release Date: February 2, 2010
Publisher: Crown
Genre: Non-Fiction, History
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

In 1951, a black woman from Baltimore died of cervical cancer.  She was being treated at Johns Hopkins, and without her knowledge or consent, the doctors took samples of her cells for further scientific research.  The cell strain was the first “immortal” line ever discovered – it has been used in countless numbers of scientific experiments.  Billions of dollars have been made off of it by private companies, none of which has gone to the family.  That woman’s name was Henrietta Lacks, and this is her story, the story of her descendents, and the tale of that infamous cell strain known only as HeLa.

Review:

I’ve heard amazing things about The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, but I wasn’t really sure how much of it was hype.  Plus, though I am interested in science, biology isn’t my forte, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to read an entire book on a line of cells.  I was glad when my book club picked it as our monthly read because I knew that would force me to read a book I’m not sure I would have otherwise picked up.

Skloot really does an amazing job with this book.  She makes the science accessible and easy to understand.  At the same time, she doesn’t patronize the reader by dumbing things down for them.  I found the story of the HeLa cell line fascinating.

Skloot also puts a very human face on the story, both with Henrietta and her descendents.  The reader can’t help but sympathize with Deborah Lacks, Henrietta’s youngest daughter.  Skloot develops a very personal friendship with her as she slowly gains Deborah’s trust and helps her to see that she isn’t trying to take advantage of her, like so many people who have come before.  Deborah’s health has suffered because of the stress she has endured over her mother’s cells.  At the same time, no one has taken the time to clearly explain to Deborah and her family what HeLa actually is.  Skloot demonstrates true compassion on her quest as she fights to tell the family’s story.

The ethical questions in The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks make it a perfect book club read.  This book is probably one that will provoke strong opinions – on one hand, restricting HeLa and other tissue samples could stifle scientific advancement and research.  But at the same time, shouldn’t people have the right to say what happens to their cells and have some claim over them?  After all HeLa has helped millions of people and changed the face of science and medicine, yet Henrietta’s children and grandchildren can’t afford health insurance.

I really enjoyed The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and highly recommend it, even if you think you might not be interested in the subject matter.  This is a book that deserves all the hype it’s getting.  Skloot’s passion for the subject and desire to uncover the truth behind what happen are infectious and make for an amazing story.

Title: I Can See You
Author: Karen Rose
ISBN: 9780446538350
Pages: 640
Release Date: August 5, 2009
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Genre: Mystery
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Six years ago, Eve Wilson was brutally assaulted and left for dead by a killer.  Now, she’s managed to rebuild her life, a student by day and a bartender by night.  Her physical scars are almost gone, removed by plastic surgery, but her emotional scars are a different story. 

When a murderer starts targeting women, the police have no leads.  But when Eve realizes that the murders may be connected to a study she’s running, she is thrown into a case where nothing is as it seems.

Review:

I’ve been in the mood for mysteries lately, so I picked up this novel looking for an engrossing mystery.  I’m pleased to say that’s definitely what I found – Rose has a talent for weaving complex storylines and keeping the reader guessing.

I enjoyed getting to know Eve, though I didn’t realize she was the protagonist in Rose’s debut novel, Don’t Tell, until after I finished this book.  I probably won’t be going back and reading that one because I feel like this book covered the events of that one pretty well.  I didn’t feel like I was missing anything, though I did find the sheer number of people she was friends with confusing.  There are a lot of characters connected with Eve, and I assume that would be clarified had I read the novels in order.

I Can See You didn’t really have trouble keeping my attention, though it definitely is long and a lot happens.  Sometimes I felt like a little too much had happened to Eve, but it never really hampered my enjoyment of the story.  I felt like the mystery was well-written and I definitely didn’t guess the outcome until right before the police figured it out.

I enjoyed I Can See You and will definitely be keeping an eye out for Karen Rose’s future works.  If you’re looking for a good mystery that will keep your attention over a day or two, this is a good one to choose!

Title: Just Like Me, Only Better
Author: Carol Snow
ISBN: 9780425232484
Pages: 336
Release Date: April 6, 2010
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Genre: Chick Lit
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Veronica is a single mom who is struggling to make ends meet.  Her husband left her, and to make matters even worse, it was for an older rather than a younger woman.   She tries her best to take care of their son, but with substitute teaching, it isn’t easy to make ends meet. 

Veronica has always known she bears a resemblance to Haley Rush, a Hollywood star with a bit of a reputation.  When Haley’s manager finds out about Veronica, he hires her as a double for Haley.  Though Veronica isn’t sure about the job, she can’t turn down the salary, and begins the dubious process of turning herself into the troubled star.

Review:

I thought the premise of Just Like Me, Only Better sounded like a light, fun read when I first heard about it.  While I’m not much for the usual celebrity or tabloid gossip, I thought the process of Veronica posing as a star in order to make ends meet seemed like it could make for an interesting novel, and I was right.  It was an entertaining and quick bookthat I managed to read in one sitting.

I really liked the character of Veronica.  While she begins to lose herself in the Hollywood atmosphere, she also constantly has Haley around for a reality check.  Snow does an excellent job with Haley, portraying her as a starlet on the verge of a nervous breakdown (if she isn’t already going through one.)  Snow shows us the destructive side of fame, especially the havoc it wreaks on someone who’s grown up in the spotlight.  Reading this novel, it’s easy to feel sorry for, rather than jealous of, celebrities.

Veronica grows a lot over the course of the novel.  Posing as Haley makes her realize what she does and doesn’t want out of life.  It’s not about doing the best with what’s given to you, but instead, you need to carve out what you want, to mold your life in order to make it better.  She shows true development and is a very appealing character, from beginning to end.

Just Like Me, Only Better was a fun and easy read that I definitely recommend to chick lit fans, or those who enjoy celebrity gossip.  It’s a nice fluffy read that would be great for the summer, on the beach or by the pool!

Title: My Wife's Affair
Author: Nancy Woodruff
ISBN: 9780399156298
Pages: 288
Release Date: April 15, 2010
Publisher: Putnam/Amy Einhorn Books
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

My Wife’s Affair is the chronicle of married couple Peter and Georgie (and their three sons) as they move from New Jersey to London for Peter’s job.  Georgie feels compelled to find something to fill her time, and decides to return to the stage in a play.  This seemingly innocuous action unleashes a chain of events that will threaten Peter and Georgie’s marriage.

Review:

My Wife’s Affair is basically the story of the slow and steady deterioration of a marriage.  It probably won’t come as a shock that the the book centers around an affiar – after all, it’s in a title.  But what Woodruff does beautifully is explores the reasoning behind the affair, as well as the repercussions it has for a marriage.  All the mistrust, all the doubt – is it possible to fully forgive something as heinous as infidelity, even if you truly want to?  And can someone be unfaithful to a marriage and family, but with a job (or in Georgie’s case, a part) rather than a lover?  If so, where is that line?

Woodruff also does an excellent job putting the relations between a husband and wife into perspective.  How, even if you want to protect your young children, they will still pick up on the interactions between their parents and realize something is amiss.  Sometimes the children are more important than the squabbles between their parents, but how do you know what’s best for them and when?  And while it is important for everyone to have their own purpose, how do you know when that purpose is interfering with your ability to be a good parent?

The writing in My Wife’s Affair is beautiful, clear, and precise.  Woodruff’s prose is crisp and easy to read.  Her narrator, Peter, tells the story in a way that almost seems dispassionate, while also being full of rage.  It makes the novel difficult to put down because it flows so well.

I also loved the way Georgie’s detachment from her family mirrored her character’s life.  As she became more and more involved with her part and the person she was playing, she distanced herself from her family and didn’t really see herself as a part of that unit anymore.  It was an intriguing parallel that I would love to explore more fully on a second read-through.

I highly recommend My Wife’s Affair for those people who love to really think about a book after they put it down.  Additionally, this would make a great book club selection – people will revel in discussing Georgie and her motives.  It was an intriguing and enjoyable book, and I’ll definitely be on the lookout for what Woodruff does next.

Title: My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict's Attempt to Discover If Not Being A Dumb Ass Is the New Black, or, a Culture-Up Manifesto
Author: Jen Lancaster
ISBN: 9780451229861
Pages: 384
Release Date: May 4, 2010
Publisher: NAL Hardcover
Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

In her fifth memoir, Jen Lancaster attempts to amend her steady diet of reality TV shows with some elements of culture.  She attends the theatre, watches opera (on the TV, but it still counts!), dines at new restaurants, and goes to dance recitals in what she terms her “Jenaissance.”

Review:

I’ve read and enjoyed all of Jen Lancaster’s books (reviews of Such a Pretty Fat and Pretty in Plaid), so I was very excited to read her new memoir, My Fair Lazy.  I was looking forward to the subject matter – I think culture is important, and was looking forward to Jen’s snarky thoughts on it.

Well, I have to admit, I had some trouble with the first part of the memoir.  At the beginning, Jen has the unenviable task of making the reader understand why the “Jenaissance” was so crucial and why she needed it so badly.  As a result, she comes across as a bit unappealing.  Please note, I’m not saying she actually is that way – it’s just that it was necessary in order to help readers see how she feels sometimes, and why she wanted to inject culture into her life.  Additionally, Jen is a reality TV addict, and I don’t watch much reality TV, so her constant penchant for talking about reality TV in social situations didn’t really sit well with me (as it didn’t with her either – hence the “Jenaissance.”)

I have to say, though, I absolutely loved where Jen took her quest.  She went to the theatre and ended up becoming something of an expert, made herself eat things that seemed unpalatable in the name of culture (stinky cheese, anyone?), and was even complimented by a sommelier on her knowledge of Italian wines.  She was determined to bring some culture into her life, at almost any cost.  It is that spiritedness that I really admired in Such a Pretty Fat and was thrilled to see emerge again.

I also adored Jen’s comments on culture.  It doesn’t have to be snobby or pretentious – you can go to the theatre one night and sit at home on the couch watching trashy TV the next.  It’s all about exposing yourself to new things and figuring out what you enjoy, on your own terms.  At the same time, just because someone says something is supposed to be high culture doesn’t necessarily mean you have to (or will) enjoy it!

I really enjoyed My Fair Lazy – the main quest was really interesting, and her asides were, as always, fun and amusing (although her story about her pets broke my heart more than a little.)  Jen Lancaster has a great wit, and proves with this book that she is as smart as she is funny.  I definitely recommend this one for both her fans, as well as new readers!

I’m sure many of you (especially those of you who aren’t able to go) are sick of hearing about BEA.  So don’t worry, I’ll keep this post brief!  If you aren’t a part of the blogging world, or are new, you may not know what BEA is.

BEA stands for Book Expo America and it is a conference held in New York City.  This year’s dates are May 25-27.  It’s a place where industry people, book sellers, librarians, and reviewers can get together for a few days and talk books!  The Friday after BEA, we are having the first ever Book Blogger Con, which is directed at book bloggers and promises to be a very interesting experience!  It’ll be nice to be able to have a day just to meet fellow bloggers and put faces to blogs and Twitter names.

I do have a rough plan for BEA, but almost everything is tentative.  I’ll probably spend most of my time wandering the exhibit floor.  Dawn over at She Is Too Fond of Books is collecting bloggers’ contact details to share them with the group.  If you’re interested in connecting with people (including me!), make sure to fill out the form by tomorrow!

If you want to get in touch, please don’t hesitate to email or text me (I hate talking on the phone, though I’m not one to ignore it if it rings!)  I can’t wait to meet everyone, and I think this will be a great experience!

(And if you aren’t going, and are wondering what will happen with my blog while I’m at BEA, rest assured that you won’t even notice that I’m gone!  I have reviews scheduled to post every day.)

Title: The Queen's Governess
Author: Karen Harper
ISBN: 9780399156182
Pages: 368
Release Date: January 21, 2010
Publisher: Putnam
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Curled Up With a Good Book
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

The Queen’s Governess is a historical fiction novel from an interesting and unique perspective – that of Kat Ashley, Queen Elizabeth I’s governess and, later, her close friend and confidante.  The novel begins with Kat’s life as a commoner, living with her father and stepmother, and takes the reader through her rise at the hands of Thomas Cromwell, the Anne Boleyn scandal, and her care for Elizabeth.

Review:

I’ve been staying away from Tudor fiction lately.  They’re definitely very entertaining – after all, there have been countless books, both fiction and non-fiction, written about Henry VIII and his daughter Elizabeth I.  However, there has almost been too much lately, and as a result, many of the stories have become redundant.  However, Karen Harper’s novel about Kat Ashley is a breath of fresh air into this tired topic.

Though most people who have read about Elizabeth I are familiar with Kat Ashley, the queen’s loyal childhood governess, I don’t know much about her.  Harper takes the reader back to Kat’s humble origins, concocting coincidences and destiny behind her eventual rise to serve Queen Anne Boleyn.  Harper imagines a touching relationship between the two women and does a great job demonstrating why Kat might have an affinity for the queen. 

Kat herself is a well-written and charming character.  Her loyalty to Elizabeth is unquestionable, and it’s one of the most endearing things about her.  She thinks of Elizabeth as her daughter – after all, she raised her from childhood.  They develop a sweet relationship that is all the more interesting, considering Kat’s friendship with Anne Boleyn.

The historical research in The Queen’s Governess is very well done.  Harper provides an extensive author’s note at the end of the book, on everything from the spelling of Kat’s maiden and married names to John Ashely’s book on horses.  Even without the note, though, the quality of the book makes it clear that Harper put a lot of time and effort into checking her facts.  While she does incorporate great detail, it never bogs the novel down – it is very easy to read.

The Queen’s Governess was an interesting book that made for a quick read, much like her previous novel Mistress Shakespeare.  I appreciated both the unique point of view and the obvious research Harper put into this novel.  She does a wonderful job breathing life into these long-dead characters – I’m already looking forward to her next book.

I’m thrilled to say I’ve completed the South Asian Author Challenge – I’m really happy with the 10 books I read for it.  However, there are many more books by South Asian authors that I still want to read, so I’m going to continue keeping track of the books I read on my Challenges page.

January 1, 2010 – December 31, 2010

1. The Palace of Illusions – Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
2. Bombay Time – Thrity Umrigar 
3. One Amazing Thing – Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
4. Atlas of Unknowns – Tania James
5. Fury – Salman Rushdie
6. Sea of Poppies – Amitav Ghosh
7. Secret Daughter – Shilpi Somaya Gowda
8. Cutting for Stone – Abraham Verghese
9. Unaccustomed Earth – Jhumpa Lahiri
10. Leaving India – Minal Hajratwala

Title: Winging It: A Memoir of Caring for a Vengeful Parrot Who's Determined to Kill Me
Author: Jenny Gardiner
ISBN: 9781439157619
Pages: 256
Release Date: March 16, 2010
Publisher: Simon Spotlight
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Source: Author
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

When Jenny is pregnant with her first child, her brother-in-law magnanimously bestows an African gray parrot on her and her husband.  Though they are cognizant of the fact that time timing is horrible, they accept the bird lovingly into their family.  Named Graycie, this is an account of the curmudgeonly, perpetually violent parrot and how she’s been integrated into Jenny and Scott’s family.

Review:

I really enjoyed Jenny Gardiner’s first book, Sleeping With Ward Cleaver, so when I heard she had a new memoir coming out, I knew I wanted to read it.  However, I was a little worried – I’m not much of a pet person (I like animals, I just haven’t had once since I was a kid), so I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy an entire book about a parrot.  However, I didn’t need to worry – Jenny does a great job with this book and she kept me interested from beginning to end.

I have to say kudos to Jenny for not only committing herself to Graycie, but really trying to help her and recognizing that when she acted out, it’s because Graycie was unhappy.  Jenny is the first to admit she hasn’t been able to devote the time or attention necessary to make Graycie happy (though from what I gather, it would take 100% of Jenny’s attention to keep Graycie even remotely satisfied).  I appreciated how she really cared about the parrot and wasn’t willing to give up, despite what she went through for Graycie. 

Graycie’s antics are definitely entertaining, but this isn’t a book of random vignettes about a murderous parrot.  Instead, Jenny skillfully weaves the tales of her parrot with other stories about her family.  It’s a book about what has happened to Jenny’s family over the past twenty years, framed through hilarious parrot stories and anecdotes.  This balance really made the book enjoyable for me.

I very much enjoyed Winging It, and recommend it even if you aren’t necessarily a pet lover.  Jenny is a gifted storyteller, and her strong, confident, and wonderfully humorous voice really carries the memoir.  I’m glad I gave it a chance and will definitely be looking for her future books.

Happy Sunday, all!  This weekend has been a good one so far.  I found myself in a cheesecake mood earlier this week, so my husband and I ventured up to a cheesecake place in Maryland yesterday.  They have little bite size cheesecakes that are perfect if you aren’t in the mood for a full slice but want a few bites of creamy goodness.  I bought a few, and they they’re happily ensconced in my freezer for when I’m in the mood!

Today’s going to be a working day.  I worked very hard on my thesis this week and have made excellent progress, though there’s still a ton to be done.  Sometimes I feel like it will never be finished, but if I step back and think about it for a minute, I realize I have even more completed than I’d originally hoped by this point.  With just one more week until BEA, I’m going to be cramming a lot of work into the next week.

On the books front, I’ve been reading Allison Winn Scotch’s The One That I Want for a few days now.  It should have been a one sitting book, but I’m finding so little time to read that it’s difficult!  I’m really enjoying it, though, and could talk for hours about the main character – I’m sure I’ll expound on her in my review. I also posted about the Richmond Book & Author Dinner, asked for some cookbook suggestions, and shared a list of Pakistani authors, composed by Shaila Abdullah.

Reviews Posted This Week: 

Title: Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution
Author: Neil deGrasse Tyson & Donald Goldsmith
ISBN: 9780393327588
Pages: 352
Release Date: October 24, 2005
Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:

Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolutions takes the reader on a journey from the Big Bang to the universe as it exists today.  Tyson & Goldsmith combine different scientific disciplines and approaches to present the reader with a full look at our cosmic origins.

Review:

It’s no secret that I love Neil deGrasse Tyson.  He’s brilliant, funny, and most importantly, one of his passions is to expose people to science.  While I am not a scientist or astrophysicist by any stretch of the imagination, I find the subject matter to be fascinating and love reading books about the cosmos and space in general.  I’ve always found Tyson’s books (Death By Black Hole and Other Cosmic Quandaries and The Pluto Files) to be enjoyable, informative, and accessible, and Origins was no exception.

From the very beginning of Origins, it is very clear that Tyson and Goldsmith know their stuff.  They don’t limit themselves to astrophysics; instead, they use different scientific disciplines in order to give the reader the most complete picture possible.  They also walk a very fine line in this book, and do it incredibly well.  They explain the more difficult terminology and concepts in order to make the book accessible.  At the same time, though, they don’t dumb the ideas down or talk down to the reader.  As a result, there is an incredible amount of information in this book, but it’s all presented in an easily digestible way.

I can’t believe how much I learned from reading Origins, especially considering how enjoyable the experience of reading it was.  Usually, when you are learning this much from a non-fiction book, the automatic assumption is that the book is dry and poorly written.  That’s not the case with Origins.  The style is engaging, and often amusing, and it’s well-written.  It’s clear the authors have a passion for the topics presented within the book, and their enthusiasm is infectious.

Origins is divided into five self-explanatory parts:  The Origin of the Universe, The Origin of Galaxies and Cosmic Structure, The Origin of Stars, The Origin of Planets, and The Origin of Life.  The chapters are relatively short.  The entire book is structured in such a way to make it easy on the reader.  The topics are self-contained, so it’s really easy to put it down after a chapter or two and then come back to it later.

I can’t begin to describe how enjoyable Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution was.  I learned so much from it and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of reading it.  It is probably too complicated for younger readers, but Tyson and Goldsmith make the topic accessible to those who have very little prior knowledge of the subject, but want to learn more about it. 

I was lucky enough to be able to meet and spend some time with Neil deGrasse Tyson a few weeks ago.  He is charming, funny, and very easy to talk to.  So to close this review, here’s a picture of my new best friend and me:

Title: Murder on Nob Hill (Sarah Woolson Mysteries)
Author: Shirley Tallman
ISBN: 9780312328566
Pages: 288
Release Date: June 1, 2004
Publisher: St. Martin’s Minotaur
Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Sarah Woolson is a fully trained and certified lawyer.  The only problem is that the year is 1880, and even in San Francisco, no law firm will hire her because she is a woman.  However, Sarah befriends a recent widow whose circumstances compel a prestigious law firm to take her on as an employee.  What Sarah doesn’t realize, though, is that this case isn’t nearly as straightforward as it seems.

Review:

I found Murder on Nob Hill to be a charming mystery with a heroine that is very appealing.  Sarah is headstrong and sure of herself in a world that tells women not to use their brains.  I loved how smart, resourceful and driven she was, and how she refused to take no for an answer or to be subjugated on account of her sex.  She wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself, despite the fact that it wasn’t socially acceptable.  It’s also nice that she had support from most of her family, who weren’t ashamed of the way she acted.

The mystery in Murder on Nob Hill was very engrossing.  A few times, I thought I was one step ahead of Sarah, but it always turned out that she had figured out more than I had.  I also loved her partner at the law firm, Robert, and how he couldn’t stand her audacity at the same time he as intrigued by her brilliance.  Tallman takes the reader on twists and turns that will keep them hooked from beginning to end.

I also enjoyed the historical details present in this book.  Tallman does a wonderful job bringing San Francisco in 1880 to life for the reader.  It’s a quick read and a fun, charming experience.  I’m glad this is the first in a series, as I can’t wait to see what Sarah does next.

Title: Restoring Harmony
Author: Joelle Anthony
ISBN: 9780399252815
Pages: 320
Release Date: May 13, 2010
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Genre: Teen/YA, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Source: Author
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

The year is 2041 and 16 year old Molly McClure lives on a farming island in Canada.  She knows that life used to be different – after all, her parents have told her stories of life before the Collapse, when the world’s oil supply ran out.  But she’s happy in her farming community and would never dream of leaving, except for a desperate confluence of events.  All of a sudden, Molly finds herself on the adventure of a lifetime, heading to the United States with no idea what’s in store for her.

Review:

Restoring Harmony is a YA dystopian novel, which seem to be all the rage.  However, it’s a book with a twist – while conditions are harsh, they aren’t brutal.  It’s not so dystopian that it’s difficult to imagine how the world as it is right now might come to look like the one in the book.  As a result, the main focus of the novel isn’t centered around an oppressive government or trying to uncover the mysteries that surround the world.  Instead, it’s accepted as a way of life – there isn’t much mystery about it.  This was a really refreshing dystopian novel for that reason – it was something different.

Molly was an appealing character who was resourceful and smart.  She felt the need to protect people, especially those who couldn’t look out for themselves.  She was sympathetic and sweet, and I liked getting to know her in Restoring Harmony.

Though I did enjoy this novel, I did feel that Molly found her way out of difficult situations a little too easily.  She was incredibly lucky during the course of her travels.  While it was nice to read a dystopian book in which everything isn’t doom and gloom, a lot of it seemed too convenient.

Restoring Harmony was an easy read that I enjoyed.  I thought the world created in this novel was believable, and I’d love to revisit it in a sequel.  This novel has a lot of potential if it’s the first in a series, and I hope to read more about Molly in the future!

Title: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand: A Novel
Author: Helen Simonson
ISBN: 9781400068937
Pages: 368
Release Date: March 2, 2010
Publisher: Random House
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Curled Up With a Good Book
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Major Ernest Pettigrew (retired) lives in the English countryside, clinging to his traditional ways.  Since his wife died, he and his son Roger have drifted apart.  When Pettigrew’s brother, Bertie, passes away, it leads to a fight over a set of guns that the two brothers owned.  While he is embroiled in this battle, Pettigrew gets to know Mrs. Ali, the Muslim shopkeeper who lives in town.  Becoming friends with her means that Pettigrew realizes some things about himself and the values he seems to hold so dear.

Review:

Writing that summary of Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand was incredibly difficult.  Why?  Because of the unique nature of this book – it is simultaneously about so much more than I could describe while also being about nothing at all.

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand is about the quietness of life.  There are no wars or explosions – instead, the book is about living day to day.  The huge moments and earth shaking events in this book are contained in conversations and small actions, rather than momentous deeds. 

At the same time, Simonson manages to tackle a host of contemporary issues within the pages of this novel – racism, disrespect, fixation on money, and many more.  She never drags the reader down with heavy subjects though; they are expertly incorporated in the story, such that the reader doesn’t even realize there’s any sort of social commentary taking place until after the scene has passed.  It’s a marvelous skill, and one that Simonson uses very effectively in Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand.

Simonson’s writing is really impressive in Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, considering this is her debut novel.  She also does an excellent job developing her main characters – both Major Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali are endearing and easy to sympathize with.  It’s really gratifying to be along for the ride, watching Pettigrew grow as a character and become aware of his own prejudices as well as of those around him.  It’s also interesting to see how Mrs. Ali reacts to others’ preconceptions of her, as well as how she’s constrained by her family’s ideals and values.

I can’t emphasize enough the quiet, toned-down nature of this novel.  To be honest, I wasn’t sure it would even keep my attention, it’s so subtle.  But Simonson is an excellent writer and a gifted storyteller.  I found myself enchanted by the world she created, wanting to know how everything would turn out and be reassured that it would all be okay.  This is a thoroughly enjoyable novel about the small pleasures in life, and how important they really are. 

If you’re looking for some authors to read for the South Asian Author Challenge, an author I consider a friend, Shaila Abdullah, author of Saffron Dreams, has put together a great list of Pakistani authors.  I haven’t heard of some of these men and women, so I will be checking out a lot of authors on this list and I hope you will too! 

Recommended Reading List of Pakistani Writing in English – Shaila Abdullah

Title: On Folly Beach
Author: Karen White
ISBN: 9780451229212
Pages: 416
Release Date: May 4, 2010
Publisher: NAL Trade
Genre: Mystery, Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publicist
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

After her husband’s death, Emmy is bereft and floats through her days, barely conscious of everyday life.  On an impulse (and with some encouragement from her mother), she decides to buy a bookstore in Folly Beach, South Carolina in order to start living again.  When Emmy arrives, she resists letting go of her husband, but soon becomes swept up by some messages she finds in the old store owner’s books.  Intrigued, Emmy begins unraveling a mystery that has been kept secret for over sixty years.

Review:

I’m a huge fan of Karen White’s Books – reviews of The House on Tradd Street, The Girl on Legare Street, The Lost Hours, The Memory of Water, and Learning to Breathe – so when I found out she was coming out with a new book, it was a given that I’d immediately want to read and review it.  On Folly Beach was a book that was so riveting, I read it in one sitting.

On Folly Beach doesn’t really have the mysterious, almost gothic atmosphere that many of White’s other novels have.  While this disappointed me at first, I was quickly drawn in by the setting of Folly Beach.  I grew to love this beach community by the end of the book; the bookstore seemed charming.  I think Emmy was living a lot of book lovers’ dreams – moving to the beach and running a bookstore!

The mystery within On Folly Beach was well-crafted and kept me guessing as I turned the book’s pages.  White does a great job giving out information slowly, but not so much so that the reader becomes frustrated with the pace of the narrative.  She deftly balances between forward movement of the story and drawing out the tension.  While I did guess the outcome of the mystery, it was only within the last 50 pages of the book. It’s definitely a satisfying read.

Though the mystery is very interesting, it is not the only driving force within the novel.  Character development is also key in this narrative.  From Emmy to Maggie, White builds her characters well.  She develops them with care and gives them voices of their own.  As a result, even the despicable Catherine garners some sympathy from the reader.  White makes her characters very three-dimensional and breathes life into them marvelously.

I really enjoyed Karen White’s On Folly Beach and am sad that it’s already over!  Her novels are always very good and I already can’t wait for her next one.