Title: State of the Onion & Hail to the Chef Author: Julie Hyzy
ISBN: 9780425218693 & 9780425224991
Pages: 336 & 336
Release Date: January 2 & December 2, 2008
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Mystery
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

State of the Onion and Hail to the Chef are the first two books in the White House Chef mystery series, focusing on a chef named Olivia Paras (Ollie Paras) who works in the White House.

Review:

In State of the Onion, Ollie finds herself involved in the chase for a suspect who illegally entered the White House.  Little does she know that this will lead to her complete involvement in the case, as well as make her a target for a killer.  In this first installment of the White House Chef mystery series, Ollie is introduced and she is a very appealing character.  Unlike many amateur sleuths, she is not overly nosy.  She does want answers, and pursues them, but she doesn’t intentionally put herself or others in danger while she’s trying to figure out what’s going on. I appreciated the fact that she was smart and resourceful.

The setting of the White House Chef mystery series is also a lot of fun.  The inside look at the White House kitchen is really interesting, and I loved the portrayal of Washington, DC.  What’s more, Ollie lives in my part of town, so I really loved reading about things that were local to me - I feel like that is always a treat!

In Hail to the Chef, Ollie is a little older and wiser, but still has the same spark that made you love her in the first book.  The nature of this mystery is very different from that in State of the Onion, reassuring the reader that these books are unique in their own right and don’t simply recycle storylines.  This makes it more believable as well, because the general public knows how well guarded the White House and the President are, and Hyzy takes that into consideration when writing her books.

I really enjoyed both State of the Onion and Hail to the Chef and am looking forward to the third book in the series, Eggsecutive Orders (aren’t the titles cheesy, yet adorably creative? I love them!)  This is a great cozy series that any mystery fan shouldn’t hesitate to pick up.

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Title: Travels in a Thin Country
Author: Sara Wheeler
ISBN: 9780375753657
Pages: 336
Release Date: January 1, 1996
Publisher: Modern Library
Genre: Non-Fiction, Travel
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Travels in a Thin Country is Sara Wheeler’s chronicle of her trip through Chile, a country that is 2,600 miles long, but only 110 miles wide at its biggest.  At the beginning of the book, Wheeler’s goal is to start in the north and make her way south, learning about the culture and history of the country along the way.

Review:

I love to travel, but I’ve never actually been to South America.  We’ve discussed taking a trip to Chile on multiple occasions and hope to get there soon, but I recently realized I know almost nothing about the country.  Therefore, I was delighted when I found Travels in a Thin Country.  Everything about the book, including that gorgeous cover, made me want to dive into it immediately.

I have to say, Travels in a Thin Country is one of the strangest travel memoirs I’ve ever read.  Wheeler does a wonderful job relating the history of the country to the reader.  For those of us whose only knowledge of Chile is Salvador Allende and Pinochet,  Wheeler provides great information in order to put her experiences and encounters into context.  As a result, I learned a lot about this vibrant country from Wheeler’s memoir.

I also loved how much interaction Wheeler has with the locals.  She is constantly taking chances and meeting people, not afraid to take risks in order to have great experiences.  She really gets to know the people of Chile, and that comes through in the book.  Often in books such as this, the author gets so lost in the descriptions and history that they neglect to actually sit down and talk to the locals.  Wheeler doesn’t overlook this important element, and that makes this book that much better.

So why is it strange, then?  Because of how little description there is.  This is a book about encounters and experiences; Wheeler doesn’t deliver vivid imagery.  She visits some of the most incredible places on the planet, including Antarctica, and she doesn’t spare a lot of words to describe what she’s seeing.  The memoir definitely suffers for it, as I would have loved more description so I could have tried to picture what she was experiencing and seeing in my head.  However, that doesn’t prevent me from recommending this memoir.  It was well written and interesting; I found myself captivated by Wheeler’s experiences and by her thoughts on what she saw.  I did miss vivid descriptions, but fans of travel memoirs should still definitely consider picking this book up.

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You might call it an obsession.  Maybe even a sickness.  I simply cannot get enough of some of the great challenges being hosted in 2011!  This is my third (and hopefully last) comprehensive sign-up post.

The Book Junkie’s Bookshelf is hosting the Support Your Local Library Challenge.  I participated in that challenge for 2010 and sadly, it looks like I’m going to be one book short of finishing the challenge.  I want to do more in 2011 and to utilize my public library more fully, so I’m definitely in for this one again.  I made it to 24 books this year, so I’m only signing up for the minimum for the challenge, 30 books.

The Ladybug Reads is hosting a 2011 E-Book Challenge.  I participated in and enjoyed this challenge last year, so I’m happy to be participating again this year!  I’m in for the “Obsessed” level, which means I have to read 20 ebooks in 2011.  I don’t think this one will be too hard since I do read a lot of ebooks.

Sheila at Book Journey is hosting one of the most interesting challenges I’ve ever come across.  It’s called the 2011 Where Are You Reading Challenge, and the challenge is to basically read one book set in each of the 50 states in the US, for a total of 50 books.  However, every book you read is eligible for this challenge.  The way it works is you create a map on Google Maps and then stick a pin for every book you read.  It’s a great way to see “where” you read.  I’m not sure I’m going to fulfill the 50 states part of the challenge (though I will try), but I find the idea of a reading map fascinating!

Title: Winter Bloom
Author: Tara Heavey
ISBN: 9781439177938
Pages: 384
Release Date: October 12, 2010 
Publisher: Gallery
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Eva Madigan is struggling just to keep going every day.  She is doing her best to raise her son, Liam, but feels lost inside.  Walking around Dublin one day, she sees a walled garden that is overgrown, but with some love and care, could be simply beautiful.  She asks the owner, forbidding and unwelcoming Mrs. Prendergast, if she can fix up the garden.  Mrs. Prendergast agrees, and Eva recruits a few people to work with her, each of them with their own ghosts to face.

Review:

Winter Bloom centers around the idea that gardening can be a source of healing for many different ailments of the soul.  Working with something living, bringing back something that was once dull and lifeless and making it vibrant and beautiful - it leaves a mark for everyone to see.  Each person who works on the garden has things in their past they are trying to recover from emotionally, and the garden helps them do so.  It’s not magic or anything like that; instead, working on the garden helps them face their problems, usually by giving them someone to confide in.

The cover of Winter Bloom is a bit deceiving.  It makes the reader think they are picking up a light, fluffy novel that won’t require much thought.  Indeed, this book isn’t heavy or difficult to read, but it does deal with some very hard subjects.  From the Holocaust to unwanted pregnancies, each of these characters has seen difficult times.  The beauty of the book is how they work through and face these challenges, and grow because of their efforts.  It’s also wonderful to see these disparate people come to rely on one another, simply because they worked on the garden together.

Though Eva is the main character, each of the major personas in the novel is explored and developed.  We get to see things from each person’s point of view in order to understand where they are coming from.  Heavey did a wonderful job developing all these characters and making them sympathetic.  Readers will race through this novel, anxious to discover what will happen next and ensure that these people will be okay.

Winter Bloom is a sweet, thoughtful book.  It’s very simple, focusing on characters rather than twists and turns in the plot, but beautifully done.  Fans of women’s fiction and character driven books will want to pick this one up.

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Title: The Hypnotist
Author: M.J. Rose
ISBN: 9780778326755
Pages: 416
Release Date: May 1, 2010
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Historical Thriller
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Lucian Glass, an agent with FBI’s art crimes division, has been haunted by the past for a long time.  Twenty years ago, he was late meeting his girlfriend at an art gallery, and as a result she was present when someone came to rob the place.  She was killed and Lucian has blamed himself ever since.  Now, one of the missing paintings has resurfaced, and Lucian sees the chance to solve the mystery that’s been unsolved for so long.

Review:

I was a fan of the first two books in M.J. Rose’s Reincarnationist series (The Reincarnationist and The Memorist), so I didn’t really think about picking up The Hypnotist - it was a no-brainer for me.  The Hypnotist was another gripping historical thriller that had my attention from beginning to end.

Lucian is a well-written and engaging main character.  He wears his grief on his sleeve, even after twenty years.  When it looks like he might have the chance to solve the mystery and bring the case some closure, he throws himself into his work.  The depth of feeling he still has about his former girlfriend, Solange, is surprising, but it makes it easy to see why he is so passionate about his work.  When he starts to experience past life memories, it’s gratifying to see him try to embrace the process, despite his distrust of Malachai Samuels.

The discussion of art in The Hypnotist was really interesting.  From art theft to art history, it is filled with little attention-grabbing little tidbits.  The addition of reincarnation gave the book a unique premise, setting it apart from the other art theft thrillers out there.

The Hypnotist isn’t perfect; it is slow to get going.  Additionally, it should be read as part of the series, rather than a standalone.  I’ve read some reviews of people jumping into the series, but I would have been completely lost if I had done that.  Overall, I have really enjoyed this series and I hope this isn’t the last of the books.  It’s a fun, engaging read that actually will leave you something to think about.

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Title: The Scorch Trials
Author: James Dashner
ISBN: 9780385738750
Pages: 368
Release Date: October 12, 2010
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Genre: Teen/YA, Dystopian, Science Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Picking up right where The Maze Runner ended (and thus this review contains spoilers for that book), Thomas and his friends are safe inside the place they were taken after they were rescued from the maze.  But just when they are starting to relax, it begins all over again – they are told that they must face another trial, one that will be even more difficult than the maze.  As he tries to figure out what’s going on and the mystery behind the world as it is now, Thomas struggles to remember as much as he can about his role in creating it.

Review:

The Maze Runner was one of those surprise books for me.  I had been hearing good things about it for a long time, which is why I chose to read it.  I don’t think that I would have taken that leap based on the summary alone.  However, when The Scorch Trials came along, I wasn’t about to wait around to read others’ opinions.  I wanted to be first in line to read this one, to see what happens to Thomas and his group of friends and to find out more about the world they come from.

The Scorch Trials was at once exhilarating and infuriating.  There was so much action and adventure in this book, which made it an incredibly exciting read.  From beginning to end, I was completely and utterly hooked.  However, it was infuriating because of the hell that Thomas and his friends are once again forced to face.  We’re supposed to trust that there’s a reason they’re undergoing such torment, yet it’s difficult to deduce any real logic behind it.  A little more is revealed about the dystopian world surrounding them, but not enough to really satisfy. 

Thomas is really tested in this novel and it’s satisfying to watch his character grow.  He is once again put on the spot, and he really measures up.  He’s pushed and pulled so many ways, it’s interesting to think about where his character is going to go in the final novel of this trilogy.

James Dashner has really set the stage for an explosive conclusion to the trilogy.  I think he did an excellent job ensuring The Scorch Trials doesn’t suffer from classic middle-child syndrome – it’s just as exciting as the first book and is a solid read in its own right.  It doesn’t exist merely to set the stage for the finale, as so often happens in trilogies.  I’m really looking forward to Dashner answering all those questions I have – he has a big job for the third book, but he’s shown that he’s up to the challenge.

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Title: A Small Death in the Great Glen
Author: A.D. Scott
ISBN: 9781439154939
Pages: 416
Release Date: August 3, 2010
Publisher: Atria
Genre: Mystery
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

In a small town in Scotland in the 1950s, the body of a young boy named Jamie is discovered in the canal.  The last two people to have seen him alive are the young daughters of Joanne, a typist at the local newspaper.  As the newspaper staff tries to uncover the story behind Jamie’s death, the townspeople point their fingers at a Polish illegal immigrant.  Jamie’s murder exposes the darker side of the small town while obscuring the truth about what really happened.

Review:

A Small Death in the Great Glen is an atmospheric portrait of post-war Scotland.  Scott does an incredible job setting the scene and creating this small town.  He perfectly captures the ins and outs of small town life, while replicating the overall atmosphere of Scotland.  It’s incredibly well done and worth reading just for that.

The book is populated with eccentric characters, many of whom have something to hide.  It seems like everyone is a suspect because there are so few clues to go on from Jamie’s murder.  Sometimes it’s hard to keep them straight because there are so many, but Scott does a great job giving each character their own distinctive personality.  Joanne was a personal favorite; her resilience and determination grow over the course of the book, and she finds the strength to pull herself out of a very bad situation.

It takes some time for A Small Death in the Great Glen to really get going.  Before you are familiar with the characters, the story seems to meander and doesn’t move forward quickly because you are being introduced to so many new people.  Scott is just setting the stage, but it takes a long time to happen and it would be easy to lose interest in this book at the beginning.  Once it picks up, though, it does become much more intriguing.

I also have a very minor and silly complaint about the book, one that shouldn’t really matter but bothered me as I was reading it:  the use of the word “wee”.  It seems that every single person in the book decided to describe Jamie as “wee”.  I got the point that he was a small, innocent boy, and it just got to be frustrating and tedious after awhile.  At one point, I thought I was just overthinking things, so I decided to use the search inside feature to discover how many times the word was actually used: 141 times.  Definitely overkill.

A Small Death in the Great Glen was an intriguing and atmospheric mystery that was very well-written.  It had its flaws, but overall it was an interesting enough read to where I would consider picking up the sequel that is scheduled to be released in 2011.

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Title: At Home on Ladybug Farm
Author: Donna Ball
ISBN: 9780425229781
Pages: 352
Release Date: October 6, 2009
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

After spending a year on Ladybug Farm and deciding they want to stay, Lindsay, Cici and Bridget have more challenges facing them.  The farm still needs a lot of work and money is tight.  Noah is still helping the women out, but they want to do more for him and help him find a better life.  Cici’s daughter Lori has also moved into the house; she has decided that college isn’t the place for her, and she’d rather live on the farm.  The women find they have many difficulties, yet the hardships are always made easier by the fact that they are together.

Review:

I really enjoyed A Year on Ladybug Farm so I was thrilled to see there were sequels to it.  I picked up At Home on Ladybug Farm expecting more of the warmth and happiness that I got in the first novel, and was surprised and pleased to find that there was a lot more to this book.

At Home on Ladybug Farm really delves into the history of Blackwell Farms (the original name of Ladybug Farm).  As the women explore the house, they find clues as to different purposes the house has served over the years.  To flesh out the narrative, Ball includes historical flashbacks to these different time periods in order to show the reader what was happening and to bring the past to life.  By doing this, she emphasizes how important the past is to the future of Ladybug Farm.  The women must learn from the farm’s past and utilize it in their efforts to fix it and make it profitable.

Lindsay, Cici, and Bridget are fun to revisit in this novel, though Lori is a bit difficult.  Deciding that college isn’t for her, she has moved into the house and determined that she will find a way to make it profitable, thus proving that she doesn’t need college.  If anything, she proves the opposite - her schemes are so poorly thought out that it’s a wonder that the three women don’t prevent her from trying to help.  On top of that, she uses the failure of her ideas as proof of why she doesn’t belong in college, because she is too stupid to be there.  It’s really frustrating for the reader, because Lori is clearly suffering from self-esteem issues, and these problems are making life difficult for everyone at Ladybug Farm.  At the same time, though, much of the story is carried by Lori’s antics and everyone’s efforts to recover from them, so it’s difficult to complain about her as a plot device.

At Home on Ladybug Farm was a fun, enjoyable read, and I’m looking forward to picking up the next in the series, Love Letters from Ladybug Farm.  I highly recommend reading these books in order, rather than trying to pick one up as a standalone, because the character development moves slowly.  It’s important to get to know everyone in these books because they really do carry the novel, so if you’re interested in this series, definitely pick up A Year on Ladybug Farm first!

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Title: The Quickening Maze
Author: Adam Foulds
ISBN: 9780143117797
Pages: 272
Release Date: June 29, 2010
Publisher: Penguin
Genre: Literary Fiction
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:

The Quickening Maze follows the story of three different men:  John Clare, a disturbed poet, Matthew Allen, his doctor, and Alfred Tennyson, the famed poet.  Dr. Allen runs High Beach asylum, at which Clare is a patient, as is Tennyson’s brother, Septimus.  As the story progresses, the fates of these three men are intertwined.

Review:

The Quickening Maze appeared on my radar when it was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2009.  I considered ordering it from the UK, but it was finally released by Penguin earlier this year and I got a chance to read it.  I came away with mixed feelings, but am glad I took the plunge and read this complicated novel.

Foulds is a talented writer; his prose is lush and lyrical.  It makes the book easy to read; the writing never becomes heavy handed or drags the story down.  Foulds is very descriptive and it is easy to picture the details of this novel in your mind while reading.  The characters are interesting, with the exception of Tennyson, who seems to have been thrown into the book.  In particular, John Clare is a fascinating character.  He really is just crazy, and it’s interesting to see where his madness takes him.  It would have been nice to have more information about him, where his condition originated and such, as we are thrust into the middle of his mental condition with little explanation.

However, the book did have some flaws.  Though The Quickening Maze is the story of three men, it’s told from the points of view of multiple characters, including Allen’s daughters.  This makes the novel unnecessarily confusing, as the reader is scrambling to figure out what is going on at times.  The novel also is a bit slow.  The easy prose makes the reader want to read fast, yet it doesn’t seem like there is anything going on.  Then, all of a sudden, everything comes together in one sickening moment.  I’m not sure I liked this method of storytelling, and would have preferred events to be a bit more drawn out.

I found some parts of The Quickening Maze very interesting, but overall, the book didn’t work for me as well as I’d hoped.  It was a difficult novel and didn’t really engage me while I was reading it.  Die hard literary fiction fans may enjoy this one, but if you are a casual reader of the genre, I’d choose another book.

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Title: Chosen
Author: Chandra Hoffman
ISBN: 9780061974298
Pages: 320
Release Date: August 24, 2010
Publisher: Harper
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

Chloe Pinter is a social worker with a job at a private adoption agency.  She liaisons between birth mothers and adoptive parents, trying to match babies with often desperate couples who haven’t been able to conceive.  The story shows both sides, those of the birth parents and adoptive ones, spinning out to an explosive conclusion.

Review:

I don’t know much about the adoption process, so I thought Chosen might be a very interesting read.  After all, the author, Chandra Hoffman, has worked in the adoption field and understands the process.  Chosen is definitely illuminating, but its flaws prevent it from being great.

The information about adoption presented in Chosen is really interesting.  The dynamics between the social worker and sets of parents, the vast differences in both adoptive and birth parents - it makes a very interesting study.  Just as there are the extremes of birth parents - the sweet woman who just wants her child to have a better life, versus the parents who think they can sell their baby for bags full of cash - there are extremes in the adoptive parents too. 

The main focus in adoptive parents, Francie, is difficult to sympathize with. On one hand, she is desperate for a child, and the reader can’t help but feel bad for her.  But on the other hand, she is manipulative and difficult, only looking out for herself.  Her obsession with the internet and the adoption forums will be amusing to anyone who spends a lot of time online, especially bloggers.  When you compare Francie with the other parents in the book, it’s clear how wide the spectrum in adoptive parents is.

Chloe was the most sympathetic character in the book.  She works at all hours of the day an night for just $11 per hour.  She is expected to be on call all the time for any birth parent or adoptive parent.  Many of the birth moms don’t have anyone else, so they lean on Chloe harder than they should.  It is also her responsibility to manage expectations on both sides - while birth parents will pay for some expenses, they will not pay for a baby.  On the other side, she has to tell excited parents that the baby they were expecting might no longer be theirs, as the birth parents are talking about keeping it.  It’s a difficult job on all sides, and I didn’t envy her.

My problem with this book was with the main set of birth parents.  The book spirals out of control as it progresses, and the reader can see what’s going to happen.  Telling the story partially from their point of view was an effort to make the reader see things from both points of view and sympathize with both sides, but it failed in this case.  The birth parents were so unlikeable that it was impossible to feel for them in this situation.  They destroy themselves and anything they touch, so it’s easy to feel that a baby is better almost anywhere else than with them.  As a result, reading things from their point of view was alternately boring and enraging; this part of the novel just didn’t capture me like it was supposed to.

Chosen is an interesting novel with a solid premise, and despite my reservations, I still recommend it.  It’s got a lot of interesting information about the adoption process, and Chloe is a wonderful character to get to know.  The birth parents are definitely difficult and Francie definitely isn’t the most sympathetic character, but overall it’s easy to read and engaging.  If you’re interested in this premise, you should pick this one up; perhaps knowing what to expect might make this book work better!

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TwentyEleven Challenge - I enjoyed the TwentyTen Challenge, hosted by Bart’s Bookshelf, so I was excited when the TwentyEleven Challenge was announced!  It runs from January 1 through December 31, 2011.  To fulfill the requirements of the challenge, I need to read a minimum of one book and maximum of two books in each of the following categories.

1. To YA or not YA… (read 1 or 2 YA titles, since I mostly read adult fiction)

2. …With a Twist (focus on a subgenre I don’t normally read)

3. Hot off the Presses (book(s) published in 2011)

4. It Wasn’t Me (Books picked up on the recommendation of another blogger)

5. Show it Who is Boss! (TBR books already on your shelf as of December 2010)

6. Bablefish (A book in translation)

7. Will-Power? What Will-Power? (Book bought new during 2011)

8. Mind the Gap (Final book needed to complete/get caught up on a series)

9. Back in the Day (Re-read an old favorite)

10. Way Back When (Published before you were born)

11. Slim Pickings (Any book between 90 and 150 pages long)

Another challenge I’m entering is the Foodie’s Reading Challenge, hosted by Margot from Joyfully Retired.  I’m joining at the “Gourmet” level, which means I need to read 10-12 foodie books - these can be memoirs, a food biography/history, cookbooks, or novels that center around food.  As I love foodie books, this is a challenge I’m really looking forward to!

It’s not really a challenge, but I’m also joining the 2011 Maisie Dobbs readalong, hosted by Book Club Girl!  This is a series I have always been wanting to read, so I figure this is the perfect chance to do so.  The schedule is a little tight, so I’m not sure how well I’m going to be able to keep up, but I want to at least get through the first few books!

January 14th - Maisie Dobbs
January 31st - Birds of a Feather
February 14th - Pardonable Lies
February 22nd - Paperback edition of The Mapping of Love and Death goes on sale
February 28th - Messenger of Truth
March 14th - An Incomplete Revenge
March 22nd - Hardcover of A Lesson in Secrets goes on sale
March 28th- Among the Mad
April 11th- The Mapping of Love and Death
April 25th - A Lesson in Secrets

I’m also joining the 2011 Audiobook Challenge, hosted by Teresa’s Reading Corner.  I just got into audiobooks in 2010 and have really been enjoying them!  I’m joining at the Addicted level, which means I need to listen to 12 audiobooks in 2011.

Title: Bloody Crimes: The Chase for Jefferson Davis and the Death Pageant for Lincoln’s Corpse
Author: James Swanson
ISBN: 9780061988479
Pages: 480
Release Date: September 28, 2010
Publisher: HarperAudio
Genre: Non-Fiction, History
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Bloody Crimes takes the reader through the last days of the Civil War, beginning just a few days before Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox.  Swanson chronicles the events leading up to Lincoln’s assassination, as well as its aftermath.  He juxtaposes that story alongside the tale of the flight of the president of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis,.

Review:

I have a confession:  I’m not all that interested in American history (with the huge exception of the space program, of course).  For some reason, it has just never quite captured my imagination, even though I love to learn.  However, when I saw Bloody Crimes, I was immediately intrigued.  I actually don’t know much about the end of the Civil War, and with a subtitle like that, it definitely caught my attention.  I decided to give the book a chance on audio, and wow.  I must say it has made me rethink my disinterest in American history.

Bloody Crimes takes two different stories and puts them together, painting a chaotic and complicated picture of the time period.  While Lincoln and Washington, DC were celebrating the end of the Civil War, Jefferson Davis was preparing to leave Richmond, not knowing where he could go or what might happen to him if Union soldiers caught up with him.  It makes for an extremely interesting story, especially because James Swanson takes so much care with the history.

I cannot even begin to describe how much I learned from this audiobook.  Because it’s James Swanson, I knew that I didn’t have to doubt the accuracy of what I was hearing.  As a result, I could concentrate on marveling how interesting the entire thing was.  There were times when the incredibly detailed descriptions of Lincoln’s death train became tedious, but then Swanson would switch back to Jefferson Davis’ flight and re-engage the reader.  Since this is history, it had the potential to be so dry, yet I was riveted by this listen.

I chose to listen to Bloody Crimes in audio, and I’m so glad for that decision.  This was an amazing listen.  It is narrated by Richard Thomas, and he did an excellent job.  His voice has the gravitas required to narrate the death of a president, while also constantly engaging the reader.  The audio production is unabridged and runs almost 13 hours.

I feel like I haven’t said anything in this review, yet I’m not sure what else to say.  Even if the Civil War isn’t your thing, if you are the least bit interested in history, do yourself a favor and pick up this book.  Before it was even finished, I picked up a copy of Swanson’s previous book Manhunt, about the hunt for John Wilkes Booth.  That’s how good it was.  You won’t regret reading or listening to this book; it’s well-written, fascinating, and shows how interesting history can be.

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This post is a place for participants in the 2010 South Asian Author Challenge to link up their wrap-up posts.  Whether you were successful in completing the challenge or not, feel free to add your link (but it is by no means required).  Including the South Asian Author Challenge in a comprehensive wrap-up post that covers multiple challenges is fine as well - just leave the permalink to that post!

If you’re wondering where you can link your outstanding reviews for the South Asian Author Challenge (or curious where you should for the 2011 South Asian Challenge), you can do that in the South Asian Review Database.

Title: How to Bake a Perfect Life
Author: Barbara O’Neal
ISBN: 9780553386776
Pages: 416
Release Date: December 21, 2010
Publisher: Bantam
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Curled Up With a Good Book
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Ramona Gallagher has found solace in baking, ever since she was a very confused (and pregnant) teenager.  She has decided to take a risk and start her own bakery, but she finds more than she bargained for once she opens.  Unexpected expenses here and there are quickly whittling away what little money she didn’t invest in the bakery, and what’s more, her beloved daughter Sofia receives news that her husband Oscar has been severely wounded in Afghanistan.  While Sofia races to be by his side, Oscar’s daughter Katie comes to live with Ramona because she has nowhere else to go.  Katie’s arrival reminds Ramona of the difficult time when she was pregnant with Sofia, and she begins to open herself to what may come, no matter how difficult things might seem.

Review:

I’ve really enjoyed Barbara O’Neal’s two previous books, The Lost Recipe for Happiness and The Secret of Everything, so I was really excited when I heard she had a new book coming out.  Her novels have a great balance between fun and mouthwatering food and are always warm and inviting.  Therefore, I was thrilled to discover How to Bake a Perfect Life was just as good as her previous books and found myself lost inside the world she created.

Ramona was a well-written and intriguing character.  She hasn’t always had it easy; her relationship with her family is tenuous and she is hanging on by a thread with the bakery.  She never lets her situation bring her down though; when things are really tough, she heads to the kitchen and bakes bread. I admired her for finding such a productive outlet for her frustration.  Ramona was also generous and kind, really wanting to help Katie and make her life easier.

Kate was another interesting person.  She has never really felt important, never felt that anyone except her father cared for her, so when he is injured, her world is shattered.  When she arrives on Ramona’s doorstep, she is not sure what to expect.  She is very receptive to Ramona’s warmth and generosity, yet she holds a part of herself back.  She is reluctant to trust because she has been hurt so often in the past.  At the same time, though, she comes to expect this treatment from Ramona, so when things don’t turn out the way she wants, she acts out.  It’s an interesting issue, and is fleshed out thanks to the author’s talent at developing sympathetic characters.

Each major character - Ramona, Katie, Sofia, and Oscar - is sympathetic and captures the reader’s attention.  Even when two of these people are on opposing sides, the reader can really understand the situation from both points of view.  As a result, the reader gets swept up in this novel and invested in characters’ fates.  Will they be okay? 

How to Bake a Perfect Life is a fun, thought-provoking novel that fans of women’s fiction and foodie books should love.  The bread recipes interspersed throughout the novel’s pages should excite bakers.  Barbara O’Neal is an author to watch; I certainly will be waiting to see what she comes up with next.

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Title: Matched
Author: Ally Condie
ISBN: 9780525423645
Pages: 384
Release Date: November 30, 2010
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Genre: Teen/YA, Dystopian
Source: Curled Up With a Good Book
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Cassia is very nervous. After all, tonight, the night of her seventeenth birthday, is her Match banquet. Tonight, she will see the face of the person she is destined to be with, the person whose genetic makeup and skills best complement her own. Chosen by the Society, this is the only person Cassia can ever be with.  But when something unexpected and unexplainable happens the day after her Match banquet, Cassia doesn’t know what to think.  After all, the Society doesn’t make mistakes, but how else can she explain what has happened?  As Cassia discovers more about her situation, she fights to understand what is truly happening around her, and within her.

Review:

With the way the dystopian craze has hit the YA genre, you would think that the best has already been written, and what’s coming are the last copycats dribbling in before the entire genre moves onto their next “big thing.”  But you would be wrong.  Clearly, the dystopian wave isn’t finished yet; in fact, it seems to be getting a second wind as new, creative, and unexpected books are finding their ways to shelves.  Matched, one of the most talked about YA releases of the fall/winter, is one of these impressive novels.

Cassia is a stirring character.  Smart and resourceful, she has the ability to think for herself in a world where the Society is supposed to think for everyone.  Even though her instincts tell her she should stay put and do what she’s told, her heart can’t help but wonder.  “What if” shouldn’t be such a difficult question to ask, yet it’s dangerous in Cassia’s world, and she has the bravery to not only ask it, but follows the answer to see where it takes her.  With the unraveling of one small, seemingly insignificant thread, she began to question everything around her, unable to trust any longer.

The world-building in Matched is very impressive.  The book doesn’t fully flesh out the world, as Cassia doesn’t really know what is going on, but I’m confident that will be addressed in the next two books.  (Matched is the first in a trilogy).  Instead, the reader gets tantalizing hints about what is really going on underneath the surface.  The more answers that Cassia gets, the more questions she has, especially when she realizes that the Society might not know best after all.

Matched is an enjoyably frightening novel about a look at a possible future.  Though Condie didn’t provide details about how the present day world moved to such an extreme one, readers will wonder how it could be possible.  This is a book you will want to read as quickly as possible, as you won’t be able to put it down once you start it.  There’s a reason this book has received so much buzz, and it deserves every drop of it.

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This Sunday afternoon finds me reading in bed, relaxing as much as possible before the tumult of the next two weeks.  I can already tell I’m going to have a blast, seeing friends and family that we don’t often get to, but there won’t be much time for reading, so I’m going to enjoy today as much as I can.

I have to say, I cannot believe that the new year is less than two weeks away!  2010 was an amazing year, but it flew by so fast and I’m sad to see it go.  You’ll see end of year posts coming from me soon after the year turns, though I’m not sure I’ll do a post on goals for 2011.  It’ll really just depend on if I find I have something to say.  I likely will not be posting a Sunday Salon next week, so this will likely be my last SS post of the year!  I have reviews scheduled to post every day through the end of the year, and have a few more challenges I need to sign up for.  Speaking of challenges, if you’re evaluating challenges for 2011, don’t forget to consider the 2011 South Asian Challenge.  Sign ups are here.

I have to also give a blanket apology to my fellow bloggers.  Ever since Thanksgiving, I have not been commenting on blogs like I usually do, though I have been reading.  Unfortunately, this will continue for the next two weeks, but I’m hoping to start the new year with a clean slate and get back to my regular commenting habits.  If you’ve noticed I haven’t been visiting your blog lately, well I have, I just haven’t been diligently commenting - please don’t be offended!

I’ve read some really interesting psychological novels lately, among them These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf, Choker by Elizabeth Woods, and The Art of Devotion by Samantha Bruce-Benjamin.  All of these books explore the limits of the human psyche in one way or another, and I’ve really found them to be fascinating.  My reviews of all three books will be posting in late January and early February.

I hope everyone is well this Sunday and is enjoying their reading and spending time with family.  If you’re gong to be traveling for the holiday season, be safe, and have a great and wonderful few weeks!

Title: The Meat Lover’s Meatless Cookbook
Author: Kim O’Donnel
ISBN: 9780738214016
Pages: 264
Release Date: September 14, 2010
Publisher: Da Capo Lifelong Books
Genre: Cookbook
Source: Curled Up With a Good Book
Rating: 4 out of 5

The Meat Lover’s Meatless Cookbook is a cookbook aimed at those trying to cut meat out of their diet, at least partially.  Its aim is not to make the reader a vegetarian or convince people about the evils of eating meat.  Instead, Kim O’Donnel explains that, on average, Americans eat a lot more meat than they need to be healthy.  Too much meat, in fact.  This cookbook aims to help readers find ways to lessen the amount of meat they eat.  O’Donnel accomplishes this by presenting a challenge to the reader at the beginning of the book: go without meat one day per week. 

For my household (composed of just my husband and me), this wasn’t that big of a challenge - usually, at least half the meals I cook are vegetarian because I was raised that way.  While we did eat meat growing up, my mother was vegetarian and, as a result, meat was not cooked in our house.  My husband doesn’t mind eating less meat, though I do struggle sometimes to find good vegetarian recipes.  Therefore, when I saw this cookbook, I knew I wanted to try it.

Since The Meat Lover’s Meatless Cookbook relies on vegetables (clearly!), it is divided into sections based on seasons.  This makes it easy for the reader to choose a recipe with vegetables that will be in season.  However, O’Donnel encourages the reader to use the divisions as a guide and not a bible - if something in a different season speaks to you, you should feel free to cook it.  The dishes are paired such that each recipe has a main and side dish suggestion.  Additionally, certain dishes are labeled as gluten free, dairy optional, and vegan, in case any of those are concerns for you.

I took O’Donnel’s advice - even though it was fall, I chose a summer recipe as my first.  I made Zucchini & Corn-Studded Orzo as my first dish.  It was definitely delicious and I knew it was healthy.  I appreciated that it was pretty loaded with vegetables too.  It didn’t take very long to make and was pretty easy to throw together.  Additionally, the ingredient list wasn’t horribly long.

My husband enjoyed this dish as well, but I think he might have felt it was lacking without the side dish:  Goat Cheesy Roasted Peppers.  These were easy as well, but they were messy and the presentation was pretty horrible (hence the lack of a picture).  They did taste wonderful though, so I can’t really complain!

A week later, I tried the Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes.  I’m not the biggest fan of sweet potatoes, but my husband is so I thought that, since this dish was savory rather than sweet, I might like it better.  Once again, the prep was easy, but neither my husband nor I loved these.  There is uncooked garlic in the recipe and it was just overpowering.  I might be willing to make these again, but I’d mince and sauté the garlic before putting it in the food processor next time.  They did turn out beautifully though!

Along with the sweet potatoes, I made the suggested side, Pear-Arugula Salad.  This dish was really a winner - it’s definitely one of the best salads I’ve ever had!  It was substantial, so if you added some grilled chicken or steak to it, it could definitely be a meal on its own.  In fact, we both enjoyed it so much that I think I’ll be doing that next time.  It took about 5 minutes to prep and throw together, so it was incredibly easy as well.

(I apologize that the beer glass is just as prominent in this picture than the food.  I asked my husband to take it; clearly, we can see what he thought the most important element was!)

Overall, I was very happy with the quality of the food in The Meat Lover’s Meatless Cookbook.  It tasted good and was relatively easy to prepare.  I do have a few complaints about the cookbook, though.

First, I don’t feel like the cookbook is aesthetically pleasing.  Instead of glossy pages with pictures accompanying every recipe, it has those soft pages that really soak up liquid (not a great idea in a cookbook), with a few choice recipe shots in the center of the book.  Presentation is really important to me in a cookbook, as when I’m in a store I’m more likely to pick up one that catches my eye with great shots and colors (superficial, I know).  I wasn’t thrilled with the way this one was presented. 

Second, there are no time estimates on the recipes.  This drove me a little crazy, as I was going through the recipe and adding times in order to determine how long they would take to make!  It’s especially important because they take varying amounts of time; I had to roast the sweet potatoes for an hour before I could make them.  I usually go by the Prep Time/Cook Time estimates in recipes to assign dishes to days, and not having those made it difficult in this case.

Despite these complaints, I’ll still be making a lot out of The Meatless Meat Lover’s Cookbook.  It’s hard to find delicious vegetarian recipes that don’t require a lot of ingredients and are easy to make.  I highly recommend this cookbook if you’re looking to lessen the amount of meat you eat, or if you’re just a fan of vegetarian cooking!

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Title: The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean
Author: Susan Casey
ISBN: 9780767928847
Pages: 352
Release Date: September 14, 2010
Publisher: Doubleday
Genre: Non-Fiction, Science, Audio
Source: Library
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

The Wave is the story of ocean waves, but not just any ocean waves.  Susan Casey chases the rogue waves, those that, up until a decade ago, scientists said were impossible.  She looks at the physics of freak 100-foot waves and studies the tow surfers who try to surf them.

Review:

I thought The Wave sounded fascinating because I love it when authors combine science with interesting stories, and this seemed like the perfect instance of that.  However, I was surprised to find very mixed reviews of it, so I decided this might be a good choice for audio.  A good narrator can help a reader overlook a flawed story, so I figured that if I had the same problems as other readers, I’d notice them less in audio.  I’m not sure whether it was the audio production or the book was just aimed at someone like me, but I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end.

There are really two different stories running through The Wave.  The first is the science of big waves.  Casey discusses how they form and what leading scientists think about them.  She discusses the relationship between rogue waves and global warming, and how shipping companies and cruise liners deal with the prospect of freak waves.  I found this part of the book completely engrossing.  She delivers the information in an easily digestible way, never overwhelming the reader with facts or science.

The second story running through The Wave is that of the tow surfers who try to surf these waves.  I really admired the way that Casey immersed herself in the culture; when there was a big wave to catch, she was out there with the surfers.  She didn’t rely solely on interviews.  She realized that being able to speak from personal experience was crucial to writing a engaging and accurate story.  The surfers seem crazy for doing what they do, but at the same time Casey presents it in a way the reader can grasp.  While this wasn’t necessarily my favorite thread of the book, Casey never lost my interest with it.

The audio production of The Wave is narrated by Kirsten Potter.  She does a wonderful job with this material, engaging the reader and never letting the book turn into a recitation of facts.  The production is unabridged and runs about 10 and a half hours.

I really enjoyed The Wave and am glad I chose to consume it in audio.  While I would have found the science part of the book just as fascinating in print, the surfer storyline might have tried my patience a bit.  However, in audio, I enjoyed the entire book and was able to appreciate what Casey accomplished.  If you’re a fan of non-fiction, this is one you should look into.

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Title: Bellfield Hall: Or, the Observations of Miss Dido Kent
Author: Anna Dean
ISBN: 9780312562946
Pages: 304
Release Date: February 2, 2010
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Miss Dido Kent is heading towards spinsterhood since she is twenty-eight and unmarried.  She loves her niece Catherine, so when Dido receives word that Catherine’s new fiancé, Richard Montague, has upset her, she travels to Bellfield Hall, home of the Montague family.  There, she discovers that Richard has secretly broken off his engagement to Catherine under mysterious circumstances and has since disappeared.  What’s more, the dead body of a woman is discovered in the garden.  Could these two mysterious occurrences be related?  Dido is determined to find out.

Review:

Historical mysteries with female amateur sleuths seem to be popular lately, and Miss Dido Kent is a worthy addition to their ranks.  She is smart, savvy, and very resourceful.  She is very sure of and pleased with herself, especially when she deduces something about the mystery she is trying to solve.  I was endlessly amused by her letters to her sister, extolling her own cleverness.  That doesn’t make Dido unlikeable, thankfully, as it’s handled well, but it does give her some great personality and spunk.

Dido is definitely nosy as she tries to solve the mysteries of Bellfield Hall.  She virtually cons people into confiding in her, but she does a great job at it.  By the end of the novel, she’s a virtual repository of confidences and information, and it makes it easy for her to figure out what has been going on.  The overarching mystery is satisfyingly puzzling, leaving the reader guessing at every twist and turn.  I didn’t see the final conclusion coming and was happily surprised at what finally happened.

Bellfield Hall is a must for historical mystery lovers.  It’s a well-written and clever novel with a fun main character.  It’s the first in a series, so hopefully we’ll get to read a lot more about the adventures of Miss Dido Kent.

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Title: Born Confused
Author: Tanuja Desai Hidier
ISBN: 9780439510110
Pages: 512
Release Date: October 1, 2002
Publisher: Scholastic
Genre: Teen, Multicultural Fiction
Source: Library
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Dimple Lala is tired of trying to please everyone else.  Her parents expect so much of her, when all she wants to do is spend time taking photographs and developing them in her dark room.  Her best friend Gwyn is too busy with her new boyfriend to really listen to what Dimple has to say.  As she tries to navigate the difficult world of high school, Dimple tries to figure out whether she is American or Indian, and what each of those labels mean.

Review:

Anyone who is or remembers what it is like to be a teenager will understand the inner conflict at the center of Born Confused:  Who am I?  What does it mean to be me?  In Dimple’s case, she is also struggling with the question of what it is to be Indian.  Though she has mostly turned her back on her Indian culture, she questions that decision at times.  As the book progresses, Dimple comes to understand that it doesn’t have to be an either-or choice.  At the same time, she realizes that her Indian heritage is not something to be embarrassed about.  Being different is not a bad thing.

There are some great issues within the pages of Born Confused:  the expectations and pressures of parents and friends is a huge one.  Dimple struggles beneath the weight of her parents’ expectations, though she doesn’t take the time to ask them what they actually want of her.  As she comes to understand them more, she begins to see that they are not so different.  At the same time, Gwyn believes that Dimple has a perfect life simply because her parents are still married and love one another.  Dimple fights this perception; just because her family is whole does not mean that things are perfect.  It’s a great message about pressure, expectations, and the fact that things aren’t always what you perceive them to be, especially if you’re looking in from the outside.

I really loved Dimple’s exploration of her culture and the lessons she comes away with, especially with regards to her parents and cousin.  Her relationship with Gwyn changes, and becomes more difficult over the course of the book for multiple reasons.  It becomes difficult to remember why Dimple and Gwyn are friends sometimes, though Dimple tries to be the best friend she can.  Admittedly, this subplot drags a little.

Born Confused is a wonderful portrayal of a typically confused teenage girl trying to find her place in the world.  While I do think it has great messages, this is one I would definitely read before handing over to a young teenager, as there is some content that many parents would find questionable.  The book doesn’t wallow too much in teenage angst and as a result is a great book for adults interested in cultural awakenings and experiences.  This is Tanuja Desai Hidier’s first novel, but I hope that she will consider writing more books, as she really captured the teenage voice and inner turmoil of learning to accept your culture and yourself.

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Title: Death Notice
Author: Todd Ritter
ISBN: 9780312622800
Pages: 336
Release Date: October 12, 2010
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Kat Campbell is the chief of police of a small town in Pennsylvania and she likes the quiet life.  One of the biggest cases she’s had is the theft of a local flower delivery truck.  But Kat is about to get more than she’s bargained for when a coffin is found on the side of the road with a murdered man inside.  In over her head, Kat gladly accepts help from the state bureau in the form of Nick Donnelly, head of a task force in charge of hunting down a serial killer.  Convinced this is just the latest in that series of murders, Nick and Kat try to find out who the murderer is and why they have chosen to attack in Perry Hollow.

Review:

I’ve become a real lover of well-written mysteries, so when I noticed Death Notice in Minotaur’s catalog, I immediately knew I wanted to read it.  It sounded like a promising debut novel and I was excited when it finally arrived on my doorstep.

Death Notice does not disappoint in any way.  It is a thrilling, chilling, stomach turning ride trying to discover who is behind the Perry Hollow murders.  Ritter ensures that the reader never gets bored; as soon as we get close to guessing the identity of the murderer, he throws in another curveball to keep us wondering.  It really is a thrill ride from beginning to end, and you should be prepared to read it in one sitting.  The mystery is well-written, absorbing, and, when the final twist is revealed, shocking.

Ritter captures the spirit of a small town wonderfully in Death Notice.  From Chief of Police Kat Campbell to the town troublemaker Lucas Hatcher, Ritter takes care with each of these personalities, developing them in their own unique ways.  As a result, the reader finds a colorful and appealing cast of characters who are anything but cliché.

The major characters all have their own unique identities.  Kat is a single mother to a son with Down Syndrome.  She’s clearly a devoted and loving mother, trying to provide everything possible for her son.  Henry Goll, a recluse who works at the newspaper who becomes involved in the case, is a man traumatized by his past.  He doesn’t know how to interact with people after what happened, so he’s stopped trying.  Nick Donnelly is also damaged, but in a different way.  He is consumed by his work because if he stops working, he’ll have to think about his past and that is unacceptable.  I appreciated all of these people and enjoyed getting to know each of them.

I certainly hope that Death Notice is the first in a series, because these characters are too well written to not revisit.  Even if it isn’t, though, Todd Ritter has himself a fan.  He is a talented new voice in the mystery genre, and I will certainly be picking up whatever he writes next.

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Title: Sourland: Stories
Author: Joyce Carol Oates
ISBN: 9780061996528
Pages: 384
Release Date: September 14, 2010
Publisher: Ecco
Genre: Literary Fiction. Short Stories
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

In this collection of sixteen previously published but uncollected short stories, Joyce Carol Oates explores themes such as death, violence, and loss.   

Review:

I know that Joyce Carol Oates is the queen of short stories.  She has released countless short story collections and is the person that often comes to mind when discussing this format.  Therefore, I am almost ashamed to admit that, despite my love of literary fiction, I’ve never actually read any of Oates’ short stories.  Sure, I’ve read one of her novels, Little Bird of Heaven, but since I don’t read short stories very often, I haven’t picked up any of her collections.

I rectified that with Sourland: Stories and I definitely saw what I’ve been missing.  This collection revolves around the themes of loss and violence, and how the two are interconnected.  Whether it’s being punished for your dead husband’s decisions or being found alluring because, not in spite of, your amputated limbs, Oates writes lyrically and deftly about loss.  But there’s also the violence that comes with loss – the necessity to do something drastic in order to feel through the numbness after a loved one’s death, or the way a mother’s witnessing of a stabbing might affect her daughter.  These stories come together to explore these themes and beautifully expose the cruel side of human nature and the darkness within relationships.

Oates’ writing is melodic, a feast for tired eyes.  Her gorgeous prose makes these stories about difficult subjects easy to read.  Her descriptions are generous and vivid; the reader is able to picture these characters in their minds.  She really understands the human psyche and isn’t afraid to explore its darker sides through her prose. 

Sourland: Stories sounds like a depressing collection, but it really isn’t.  Oates’ meditations on relationships are worth reading, and her thoughts on violence and loss will leave the reader contemplating long after the last pages are turned.  If you haven’t read any of Oates’ stories before, this is a great place to start - my curiosity is certainly piqued and I’m eager to consume more.  If you’re a fan of Oates, then this book is a no-brainer – definitely don’t hesitate to pick it up.

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A few months ago, I received a request from a reader to put the South Asian Review Database on Facebook so that those avid readers who aren’t bloggers and don’t really follow blogs could still use it as a resource. I thought this was a great idea, but of course, it’s taken me some time to implement it. I’m happy to say, though, that I’ve finally created a Facebook fan page for the South Asian Review Database! The database itself is still hosted at my blog, of course, but it contains links to the database, and I hope to post links from the database on the fan page.

If you are on Facebook and are a fan of the database, please “Like” it! Also, I’d love it if you would spread the word to your non-blogging friends who might be interested in the database.

If you are a blogger, please add your links to the database if you are interested - the more reviews it contains, the better of a resource it becomes!

Title: The Exile
Author: Diana Gabaldon & Hoang Nguyen
ISBN: 9780345505385
Pages: 224
Release Date: September 21, 2010
Publisher: Del Rey
Genre: Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

A graphic novel for fans of the Outlander series, this book tells the story of the first novel Outlander from Jamie Fraser’s point of view. 

Review:

I’m not a die-hard fan of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, but I have read the first 3 books and enjoyed them.  Therefore, when I received The Exile for review, I was definitely intrigued.  I’ve been enjoying my forays into the graphic novel format, so it seemed like it’d be something I’d enjoy.  Additionally, I was lucky enough to see Diana Gabaldon speak at the National Book Festival and she definitely piqued my curiosity about the book.

Let’s start with Hoang Nguyen’s artwork.  The characters definitely are not what I pictured in my mind, but they are beautifully rendered.  Some die hard fans will probably not be able to get over the way Jamie and Claire look – even Diana Gabaldon admitted that this is not what she imagines either of them to look like.  It didn’t bother me, though, and I was able to appreciate this book for its sheer beauty.  From the very first page, the reader knows they are in for a visual feast.  It’s easy to just sit and marvel at this book, staring at its pages and soaking up the vivid colors and gorgeous artwork.

The story was a little more difficult.  I have to say, this book does not work as a standalone novel.  I read and enjoyed Outlander, but it’s been at least three years since I’ve read it.  I remember the basic story, but the book is rather long and the intricate details aren’t fresh in my mind.  As a result, this book often had me confused.  I had trouble telling the men (besides Jamie and that vivid red hair) apart and was often grasping, trying to remember how the book went in order to understand what was going on.  I’m a firm believer in the idea that a book should be able to stand on its own merits, even with a companion novel like this, and unfortunately The Exile just doesn’t do that.  The book is marketed to both Outlander fans and new readers, but I don’t think that anyone who is unfamiliar with the series would be able to follow the story.

If I divided my rating between story and artwork, it would get a 4.5 for art and a 3 for story.  As a result, I’m settling at a 3.5 overall for the book.  Don’t get me wrong – it was a solid effort, and one that Outlander fans will likely love (if you can get past the fact that Jamie and Claire probably don’t look like they do in your head).  But if you’re a new reader to the series, or like me, don’t remember the details of the first book, I’d skip this one, unless you’re more interested in the art than the story!

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Well, these past couple of weeks have been pretty busy, as evidenced by the fact that I haven’t posted a Sunday Salon update in two weeks!  Thanksgiving was great, as we went to visit my family.  Then my close friend from home came to visit and we got to spend almost a week hanging out and catching up.  It was a lot of fun, but of course, I got no reading done for almost two weeks!  I wouldn’t have had it any other way, as I don’t get to spend nearly enough time with friends and family, but of course, now my mind is on all the catching up I have to do.

As the end of the year is quickly approaching, I’m reflecting on the books I read in 2010 and thinking about what I want to read in 2011.  Once the year is over, I will publish some sort of best of list.  It will be very interesting to go back over the books I’ve read this year and see what has stuck with me the most, versus what I gave the highest ratings.

I spent part of the last week signing up for challenges for 2011.  This is one of my favorite times of the year as there is so much optimism and excitement for what I want to read next year, as this one is winding down.  There are still a few more I have my eye on, but I’m excited about the challenges hosted by others that I’ve picked, as well as the 2011 South Asian Challenge (sign-ups here). 

Reviews posted this week: