Title: The Sun’s Heartbeat: And Other Stories from the Life of the Star That Powers Our Planet
Author: Bob Berman
ISBN: 9780316091015
Pages: 304
Release Date: July 13, 2011
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Genre: Non-Fiction, Science/Space
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

In this biography of the center of our solar system, the sun, Bob Berman takes the reader through the life cycle of our beloved star, relating tidbits and fascinating details along the way.

Review:

The Sun’s Heartbeat is a fascinating look at an everyday object we think we know so well - the sun.  Every day, people see the star that powers our world and gives life to it up in the sky and then go about their day without a second thought about it.  But that wasn’t always the case.  Berman details the cultures and religions that once worshipped the sun, recognizing how amazing the orb in our sky really is.

Berman takes the reader “under the surface” of the sun.  He explains sunspots and solar wind, and how these phenomena affect us here on earth.  Every facet of the sun’s existence, from the science of nuclear fusion to the beliefs of early astronomers to solar eclipses, are discussed within this book.  It’s an incredibly comprehensive book about the star, while also being very accessible.  This isn’t a book written for a scientist, full of foreign jargon and difficult math principles.  It’s aimed at the layperson, so that they can learn more about the sun.

The best part of The Sun’s Heartbeat is how incredibly engaging it is.  This book is jam packed with details and tidbits to keep readers intrigued.  I was learning something new and fascinating with every single page turn (a link between sun exposure and autism? WHA??) and it made me want to read this book in one sitting, from cover to cover.  This is one of those books that keeps reminding you why it’s so engrossing with every turn of the page.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Sun’s Heartbeat, though I feel like I’m not doing it justice with this review.  It was so enjoyable, I just wanted to immerse myself in it and absorb every little detail that Berman related.  I can’t say enough great things about how Berman balanced the need to relate information with an engaging overarching narrative - the details never overwhelm, but instead entice and fit along well with the story Berman is telling.  This is a great pick for those interested in the cosmos or just looking for a new twist on the classic biography genre.

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This giveaway has ended and the winners have been notified via email. Thanks to all of you who entered, and please remember to check back on January 10 for the discussion!

Those of you who read my blog regularly know about my love for Thrity Umrigar and my passion for spreading the word about her novels.  I’ve loved each and every one of her books (Bombay Time, The Space Between Us, If Today Be Sweet, First Darling of the Morning, and The Weight of Heaven), so I was incredibly excited when I discovered she is releasing a new novel in January called The World We Found.

If that wasn’t enough, a publicist at Harper approached me to see if I’d be interested in doing something for the release, and of course, I said, “YES!!”  And behold, The World We Found Readalong and Discussion was born.

The readalong will take place over the month of January; The World We Found releases on Tuesday, January 3, and one week later, on January 10, we’ll start our discussion, which will continue every Tuesday and Thursday for the rest of the month.  I certainly hope you will return to follow along with and participate in the discussion.

What’s more, Harper has been incredibly generous and has given me twenty advance review copies of The World We Found to give away in order to support the readalong and discussion.  Yes, you read that right - twenty!!  If you’re interested in reading The World We Found along with me, enter for your chance to win one of these copies below!  And for the rest of you, you’re still welcome to go out on Tuesday, January 3 and buy a copy of this wonderful book.  There are innumerable issues to discuss in The World We Found, so I really hope you all are as excited about this discussion as I am.

Unfortunately, there are some limitations for the giveaway.  Because the giveaway is being fulfilled by the publisher (meaning they are supplying review copies and sending them out - I am not being compensated monetarily for hosting this giveaway or the readalong!), US and Canada only please.  This giveaway is open through Monday, December 5, 2011.  I’ll send the winners’ information to Harper on Tuesday to make sure the books arrive in a timely manner.  I do ask that if you enter, you also plan on participating.  While I won’t be policing this in any way, I would love a healthy discussion about the book!

Good luck!

Title: Girl in Translation
Author: Jean Kwok
ISBN: 9781594485152
Pages: 320
Release Date: April 29, 2010
Publisher: Riverhead
Genre: Literary Fiction, Cultural Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

When Kimberly Chang arrives in the United States with her mother from Hong Kong, she expects to find a better life with the help of her aunt.  But Kimberly’s aunt is less gracious than they’d hoped; she puts them in a filthy apartment in an almost-condemned building in New York City, one with no heat.  Kimberly’s mother works in a factory under difficult conditions, with most of her salary eaten away by her “debt” to her sister.  Kimberly realizes that the best way out of this nightmare is by getting an education, but first she most overcome social and cultural hurdles as well as a language barrier in order to succeed.

Review:

Girl in Translation is an expertly written, pitch-perfect coming of age novel.  When the novel begins Kimberly is a shy, middle school-aged girl who doesn’t know what to think of this new country she finds herself in.  She doesn’t understand English well enough to keep up at school, and her teacher seems to intentionally make her life difficult.  For awhile, Kimberly considers giving up, but when she sees how hard her mother is working at the factory to give her a better life, Kimberly knows she must do everything she can to succeed.  Her drive and determination is admirable, especially considering the obstacles she faces.

The beauty of Girl in Translation is watching Kimberly grow up.  While she never forgets how much her mother is sacrificing to make her life better, Kimberly can’t help but resent their circumstances.  Why must she work at the factory after school instead of hanging out with friends, like a normal person?  Why do they have to live in such squalor, a place where she can’t bring her best friend?  I absolutely loved how Kwok balanced Kimberly’s unique circumstances with the normal thoughts and difficulties of becoming a teenager.  It’s so realistic and nuanced, and Kimberly will capture the reader’s heart from beginning to end.

The difficulties Kimberly and her mother must face are heartbreaking, and it brings into sharp focus how privileged so many of us are.  Kimberly doesn’t have any opportunities handed to her; she must make her own way.  But the genius of the novel is how inspirational it is.  While Kimberly faces some very difficult issues, this book never feels like it contains too much sorrow because it has one very bright spot: Kimberly herself.  Watching her succeed, against all odds, is so heartwarming and wonderful that it makes the book a complete joy to read.

I can’t say enough great things about Girl in Translation.  It’s such a captivating book, readers will find themselves emotionally invested in Kimberly’s future.  Her successes will make them feel triumphant, while her mistakes will have readers trying to reach into the pages, wanting to give her some comfort.  Kwok’s prose is expertly written; I have trouble believing this is a debut novel because it’s so well-crafted.  I enjoyed this novel from beginning to end and look forward to seeing what Kwok does next.

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Title: Before Ever After
Author: Samantha Sotto
ISBN: 9780307719874
Pages: 304
Release Date: August 2, 2011
Publisher: Crown
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Magical Realism
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Shelley has everything she’s ever wanted out of life when she receives devastating news - her beloved husband, Max, has been killed.  Three years later, Shelley still hasn’t gotten over his death, when something amazing, yet impossible happens: a man shows up at her doorstep claiming to be her dead husband’s grandson.  It’s impossible - Max would have been just a boy when this man was born - but something about his story intrigues Shelley, and they set off to find out the truth about Max.

Review:

Before Ever After is a novel that defies expectations as you read it.  While at the beginning, it seems to be a women’s fiction novel about a young widow coming to terms with her husband’s death, it becomes apparent very quickly that the book is much more than that.  To be honest, the paranormal twist the novel has caught me off guard, to the point where I almost abandoned it because it was so strange.  I feel like if I had been more aware of the fact that there were some magical aspects to this book, I would have enjoyed it much more, which is why I wanted to warn the reader about it without spoiling too much of the plot.

The book is mainly told through flashbacks, which worked well.  It helped the reader get to know Shelley and realize that, from the beginning, there was something different about Max.  They met through a tour Max hosted, a trip across Europe where he related little known stories and helped his tourists to really see the places they were visiting.  This tour sounded really wonderful and Sotto’s descriptions were exceptionally done.  It’s a book that will give anyone reading it a bit of a travel bug, as readers will want to visit the places that Shelley sees and experiences.

Once I finally let go of all my expectations about Before Ever After and really settled into it, I enjoyed it.  Sotto’s writing style is fresh and engaging, and I love how she handled descriptions - they are vivid, but the book does not become bogged down by the details.  Additionally, the historical interludes that Max relates are fascinating.  In just a few short pages, Sotto reveals so much about the characters and their histories.  Indeed, all the characters in this novel are well developed.  It’s clear that Sotto cared about each and every one of them and wanted the reader to know them as well as she did.

I do wish I had known about Before Ever After’s paranormal aspect before reading it; I would have approached the novel differently and been able to fully appreciate it.  But once I let go of my preconceived notions and tried to fully experience it, I’m glad to say I did see the beauty of this book.  It’s well-written, engaging, and as long as you’re in the mood for something unexpected and different, it’s a great novel to pick up.

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Happy Sunday everyone! For those of you in the US, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I hope everyone had a great last few weeks!  I thoroughly enjoyed my time away in New Zealand - the country is simply amazing, really beyond words.  We had a perfect vacation, for once.  No flight delays, the weather was really great, and with my husband's friends living there, the company was excellent. 

I didn’t read much on the trip (I was too busy looking out the window of the rental car/airplane and savoring everything I could!), and I sadly haven’t read too much since I returned home last weekend.  Part of that is because I had so much to catch up on post-trip (I enjoyed being cut off from the world while there, but it made for a lot of work once I returned!), but also because my husband and I both caught some sort of bug on the plane ride back and have been sick for the past week!  Happily, we’re both on the mend now, but I sadly didn’t get the relaxing reading weekend I had hoped for over Thanksgiving. 

All of the books I received while I was away, as well as looking at my shelves with fresh eyes, has made me really excited to dive back into reading.  I have plenty of books I’m really looking forward to.  December will be a busy month for me, but I’m hoping to make plenty of time to curl up with a book!

Reviews posted this week

The Violets of March - Sarah Jio	The Accident - Linwood Barclay
The Pub Across the Pond - Mary Carter	The Definition of Wind - Ellen Block
Labor Day - Joyce Maynard	Looking for a Love Story - Louise Shaffer
Grave Peril - Jim Butcher

Title: Grave Peril
Author: Jim Butcher
ISBN: 9780451458445
Pages: 378
Release Date: September 5, 2001
Publisher: Roc (Print) / Buzzy Multimedia (Audio)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Harry has teamed up with his friend Michael Carpenter, a Knight of the Cross, in order to take down the unusual number of ghosts that have been haunting Chicago.  He realizes that the boundary between our world and the spirit world has grown thin and tries to figure out what is really going on.

Review:

While I wouldn’t say my audio rereads of the first two books in The Dresden Files series Storm Front and Fool Moon disappointed me, they definitely weren’t at the level I remembered.  I found that they dragged a bit and didn’t incorporate the wonderful, overarching mythology I’ve really loved over the course of these books.  I was beginning to wonder if I had been inflating the series in my mind when I started Grave Peril, and almost immediately I knew that this was the real beginning of the series I knew and loved.

While the first two novels stand alone, Grave Peril is really the beginning of the interconnected, greater world of The Dresden Files novels.  The book incorporates ghosts, vampires, and even the Catholic Church; the mythology is everywhere and Butcher shapes it well.  Dresden is as great of a character as ever, though in Grave Peril he experiences some serious self-doubt.  He reaches his limits and is pushed beyond them.  I’ll admit, at times I thought it was unrealistic he was still able to stand after the beatings he went through, but I love how strong and resilient (and stubborn) Harry is.

I listened to Grave Peril on audio, and it runs 12 hours and is unabridged.  The narrator is the man who has really become the voice of Harry Dresden for me, James Marsters.  He does an amazing job and really embodies the spirit of Harry.  I noticed in this audiobook that Marsters also does an excellent job with female voices; he softens enough so that you know there is a woman speaking, but it doesn’t sound silly or ridiculous.  Audio is a wonderful way to experience these novels, and I’m glad I’m rereading them this way.

It’s funny that I feel like The Dresden Files series didn’t start until the third book, but now that I’m through Grave Peril, I’m eager for more.  This is such a well conceived series that I can’t wait for it to really start unfolding before me.

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Title: Looking for a Love Story
Author: Louise Shaffer
ISBN: 9780345502100
Pages: 320
Release Date: April 6, 2010
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Curled Up with a Good Book
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Looking for a Love Story tells the tale of Francesca, an overweight, has-been novelist living in New York City. Her first book, Love, Max, about divorce and the break-up of a family told from the pet dog’s point of view, was well-received and a New York Times bestseller. However, it’s been years since she wrote that novel and hasn’t been able to come close to writing a second. She is paralyzed by fear and loneliness, and to compensate, she eats chocolate because it’s the only thing that seems to make her feel better.

While Francesca’s stud of a husband Jake was understanding at the beginning, they have been drifting apart for years. When she makes a shocking discovery about him, she forges ahead on her own, applying for humiliating ghostwriting jobs in order to be able to support herself. Through these applications, Francesca meets Chicky, a feisty, energetic octogenarian who is determined to tell the story of her parents, Joe and Ellie. Through their story, Francesca begins to comprehend her own and understand her place in the world.

Review:

Louise Shaffer’s previous novel Serendipity was a pleasant surprise, so reading Looking for a Love Story was a no brainer. There are two main plots to this novel: the story of Francesca and how she learns to live on her own terms, and the story of Joe and Ellie. Though I found both interesting, it was Francesca that was the easiest to identify with. It was very interesting to see how Francesca was affected by her parents’ divorce. She doesn’t hide the fact that Love, Max was based on her mother and father’s strangely amicable divorce; in fact, it’s her way of expressing her anger, since she was the only one who seemed to be bothered by it.

The Joe and Ellie story was sweet. While it wasn’t exactly gripping, it definitely made the reader wonder how it was going to affect Francesca, and whether she would learn something from their trials. Though I would have preferred the entire story told from Francesca’s point of view, it is easy to see why she was swept up by this intriguing and somewhat mysterious tale.

Looking for a Love Story was a sweet, simple novel about learning to live on your own terms and understanding what you want out of life. Francesca (along with her dog, Annie) is a great heroine who readers will sympathize with and root for as she uncovers the story of Chicky’s parents. It’s a great read for a breezy summer’s day, with the book in one hand and a glass of iced tea in the other.

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Title: Labor Day
Author: Joyce Maynard
ISBN: 9780061843419
Pages: 272
Release Date: August 3, 2010
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

Henry is thirteen years old and is not looking forward to school starting.  After all, he is one of the “uncool” kids and is usually marginalized by his peers.  When Henry meets a man who asks for his help, he gives it freely.  This encounter will change Henry’s life forever.

Review:

Labor Day brings up interesting questions of ethics and morality, rendered in Joyce Maynard’s lovely prose.  Maynard’s words are spare, echoing the emptiness that Henry feels in his life before Frank, the mystery man, appears and changes everything.  Her descriptions are emotional; Maynard really gets into Henry’s head.  The reader comes to understand his loneliness and his confusion at Frank’s situation.  Henry sees how good Frank makes his life, yet he isn’t sure he wants these changes.

The ethical issues of Labor Day are extremely interesting.  Who defines right and wrong?  If a person commits a crime with their actions, but their intentions are otherwise, are they still culpable?  Maynard also addresses the question of hope - is hope ever useless, or does it always have a purpose?  Even if a person knows they are moving towards a horrible end, is it still possible to hope, and is that worth something?

While the premise of Labor Day was a bit unbelievable, Maynard wrote it well.  Henry’s vacillation was frustrating, but very realistic.  This novel would make an excellent book club pick, as it deals with many relevant issues and will inspire readers to discuss what is within its pages.

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Title: The Definition of Wind
Author: Ellen Block
ISBN: 9780440245766
Pages: 288
Release Date: June 28, 2011
Publisher: Bantam
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Curled Up With a Good Book
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

In this sequel to The Language of Sand, lexicographer Abigail Harker is back. While she still hasn’t recovered from the horrible death of her husband and son in a fire, she has found some peace on Chapel Isle. Though she is bothered that the locals have not fully accepted her as one of them, she keeps to herself in the lighthouse caretaker’s cottage. But when summer comes to Chapel Isle, and the tourists flood the small town, Abigail finds that the visitors have brought trouble. Treasure hunters seek the ruins of a ship that wrecked off the coast of Chapel Isle, and rumor has it that the exact location of the shipwreck is hidden somewhere in Abigail’s cottage. As the heat, locals, tourists, and attempted break-ins begin to overwhelm Abigail, will she flee and let her past overwhelm her, or will she make a stand and put down roots in Chapel Isle?

Review:

Though The Definition of Wind supposedly picks up close after The Language of Sand left off, it seems as though Abigail has regressed emotionally. By the end of the first book, it seemed that Abigail had made some real progress towards healing, and while she will never be able to completely let go of her husband and son, she had realized she was allowed to start a new life and find enjoyment in it. However, that progress seems to have disappeared at the beginning of The Definition of Wind. As a result, Abigail can be frustrating in this novel. Her constant references to her husband, while sympathetic and understandable, are puzzling and frustrating in light of the advances she made in the first book.

Once again, readers are treated to the quirky personalities that live on Chapel Isle, and they are the highlight of the book. It’s heartwarming how many of them reach out a hand to help Abigail, even as she is prickly towards them. Her anger at her landlord is justified, especially considering the state of the caretaker’s cottage when Abigail moved in, so it’s difficult to understand why Abigail chooses to work for her, but it certainly makes for some amusing antics. It also helps Abigail to see that she is stronger and more resourceful than she realizes, positive reinforcement that she really needs over the course of the book.

Though Abigail can be frustrating, in the end The Definition of Wind is a heartwarming follow-up to The Language of Sand. Reader’s can easily forgive Abigail’s difficulties as they remember her difficult past. Though the residents of Chapel Isle are an intriguing and appealing bunch, it would be nice to see Block venture somewhere else for her next novel, as it seems that Abigail’s story is finished.

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Title: The Pub Across the Pond
Author: Mary Carter
ISBN: 9780758253361
Pages: 336
Release Date: October 1, 2011
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Carlene Rivers doesn’t think much about it when she enters a raffle to win a pub in Ireland - after all, the ticket is only $20.  That is, until she wins.  Carlene is ecstatic at her good fortune.  She packs everything up and heads to the small town of Ballybeog, near Galway, to inspect her winnings.  But what she doesn’t expect is her welcome might not be as warm as she hopes; will Carlene give up and go back to the States or fight for her dream?

Review:

The premise of The Pub Across the Pond is a bit silly.  There’s no doubt about that.  But if you are okay with that whimsy, then definitely pick up this novel because you’re in for a treat.  Carlene is a great main character.  She’s strong-willed and brave, yet she maintains a fragility.  It’s easy to see why the pub’s former owner, Ronan, is attracted to her.  Carlene is impulsive and doesn’t always make the smartest decisions.  She tends to romanticize things (the idea of moving to Ireland and owning a pub), but that just makes her realistic.  I loved Carlene’s spirit and drive, and the fact that she was determined to succeed even when life presented her with seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

The depiction of Ireland in The Pub Across the Pond is completely charming.  If you’ve visited Ireland, this book will remind you of the lush beauty of the Emerald Isle.  If you haven’t had the opportunity to go, then this book will make you want to travel there immediately.  The sense of place in this novel is really amazing; Carter captures the atmosphere of rural Ireland perfectly.

The secondary characters are really what make The Pub Across the Pond worth reading.  Full of charm and their individual quirks, it’s clear that Carter put time and effort into developing each one of them.  They each have their own well-developed personalities, and Carter is careful to give each some nuance, ensuring they don’t become caricatures.  The author chose to stay away from some of the darker parts of Irish culture (namely alcoholism), ensuring the novel keeps its light tone.

The Pub Across the Pond is a lovely women’s fiction novel that is perfect for a few hours of escapism.  Carlene is a great character readers will root for, and her tension-filled relationship with Ronan is a lot of fun.  Lovers of light women’s fiction novels, especially those set in other countries, definitely shouldn’t miss this book.

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Title: The Accident
Author: Linwood Barclay
ISBN: 9780553807189
Pages: 400
Release Date: August 9, 2011
Publisher: Bantam
Genre: Thriller
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Glen Garber is a contractor who has been having some difficulty with his company since the economic downturn.  What’s more, a house that his company was building recently caught fire, and if the insurance company doesn’t pay out, it could ruin Glen and the company.  But when Glen’s wife, Sheila, is killed in a car accident, money woes are the least of Glen’s concern, especially when he discovers her car was stopped in the middle of an on ramp and she was drunk.  As Glen looks into Sheila’s death, he is drawn into a dangerous web of deception and must do everything he can to protect his daughter.

Review:

The Accident is a thriller dealing with the most ordinary of subjects: the suburban neighborhood.  While it might seem like everything is boring and mundane in Glen’s town, there is much more going on under the surface.  With the economic downturn, families are becoming desperate for money.  Like Glen and Sheila, some are merely trying to provide for their families, while others are clinging onto the lifestyles they acquired because of the subprime mortgage culture, unable to stop spending.  Barclay’s thriller deals with the question of how far people are willing to go to maintain that illusion of wealth.

Glen is an honest man who simply wants to provide as much as he can for his wife and daughter.  He holds those around him to the same standard, so when Sheila mentions that she has found an avenue of bringing in some more cash, he doesn’t really question her.  He trusts Sheila to make ethical decisions.  But after her accident, Glen can’t help but wonder what lay beneath the surface with Sheila.  How did she not see she was an alcoholic, even if she was a functioning one?  What was so bad in her life that would make her want to consume that much alcohol and get behind the wheel of a car?  Did he know her at all?  As Glen looks into her death and uncovers one surprise after another, he begins to wonder if Sheila’s accident was really what it seemed to be.

If you’re a person who constantly questions a book while reading, saying “Wait a minute! This isn’t realistic at all!” then The Accident is probably not for you.  While this book is definitely gripping and thrilling, everyone in it seems to be involved in some sort of nefarious dealings, and it’s sometimes hard to believe.  That being said, if you’re like me and can suspend your disbelief until a novel once it’s over,and only then start analyzing it, then you should consider this thriller.  It’s a wild, twisty ride, and the fact that it’s not very realistic doesn’t change the fact that it’s an enjoyable read.

After Never Look Away and now The Accident, it’s clear that Linwood Barclay’s books are ones that I enjoy.  His thrillers are pulse-pounding and keep me hooked from beginning to end.  I’ll definitely keep an eye for his next one.

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Title: The Violets of March
Author: Sarah Jio
ISBN: 9780452297036
Pages: 304
Release Date: April 26, 2011
Publisher: Plume
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

After Emily Wilson’s marriage falls apart, she has nothing to fall back on.  After all, though she was once a best-selling author, she hasn’t been able to write a second novel in nearly a decade.  She needs to get away, to heal from the blows life has dealt her, and the perfect opportunity comes from her great aunt Bee, who lives on Bainbridge Island.  But what Emily doesn’t expect is that a mystery will present itself once she arrives and she will have to dig up the secrets of her aunt’s past in order to understand.

Review:

The Violets of March is a wonderful little book about a woman escaping for a time to heal from all those hurts that come with a stalled career and a failed marriage.  Emily is broken when the novel begins.  She can’t understand how things went so wrong, when ten years ago she was on top of the world.  She is a sympathetic and appealing character, and it’s wonderful to see her put herself back together as she throws herself into solving the decades-old mystery of the diary she finds in her aunt’s house.

The dual storylines are handled well by Jio; she has that crucial ability to understand exactly when these time jumps should take place and how much she should reveal.  As a result, the reader is kept in suspense by both storylines.  I never found myself wishing I was reading a different storyline, which happens all too often in novels such as this.  As the story from the past begins to come together, it becomes clear where the story is going, though Jio does throw a few twists and surprises in for good measure.

The place where The Violets of March really excels is in its descriptions.  Jio makes the reader feel like they are on Bainbridge Island, walking barefoot on the beach, wiggling their toes in the warm sand.  Though I have never visited this island, I can picture it clearly in my mind from Jio’s lush descriptions.  She creates a wonderful sense of place, complete with a somewhat eccentric yet lovable cast of characters, and it makes this book immensely appealing.

I did have a few minor quibbles with The Violets of March, first, that the diary wasn’t really believable as an actual diary a person would write, but instead seemed like someone’s attempt at a novelization.  Additionally, Emily’s journey back into love seemed much too fast for me, especially considering she was only on the island for one month.  Still, despite these issues, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel.  This is one of those books that presents a wonderful escape and you’ll want to read it in one sitting.

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Title: The Sriracha Cookbook: 50 “Rooster Sauce” Recipes That Pack a Punch
Author: Randy Clemens
ISBN: 9781607740032
Pages: 128
Release Date: January 18, 2011
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Genre: Cookbook
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Review:

When I won a copy of The Sriracha Cookbook from the publisher, I was very excited.  After all, I’m a fan of the spicy, tangy “rooster sauce”, and while I’m not a person who puts it on everything I eat, I was looking forward to seeing what unique recipes I could make with it.

The book has a small profile, which makes it stand out from other cookbooks in my kitchen.  It has a nice, smooth hardback cover with glossy, appetizing pictures on the front and back.  Inside the book, the recipes are done in a dark red and black theme on a white background, and it’s very clean and easy on the eyes.  While pictures don’t accompany every recipe, there are enough scattered throughout the book to satisfy fans of food photography.

Clemens starts off The Sriracha Cookbook with an introduction, discussing Sriracha sauce, its history, and its arrival in the United States.  He then turns to the recipes.  The largest section is Sauces and Seasonings, where Clemens discusses such concoctions as Sriracha Ranch dressing, Sriracha Butter, and Sriracha Salt.  He then moves onto Starters and Snacks - the Sriracha Jalapeno Poppers and Deviled Eggs jump out at me from this section.  Next is Salads and Sides, then Soups and Stews (I am so making the Sriracha Chili), Breakfast of Champions, Main Courses, and finally, Drinks and Desserts.  There are a ton of delicious sounding recipes in here - the ones I’ve mentioned above, along with Bacon-Sriracha Cornbread, Fire-Roasted Corn Chowder, and Spiced Sriracha Truffles.  I will admit that I wish there were more main course dishes; out of the 50 recipes in the book, only ten are main dishes.

I made the Baked Mac ‘n’ Cheese from The Sriracha Cookbook.  While the recipe called for pure cheddar cheese, a note at the top of the recipe suggested substituting some gruyere or smoked gouda.  I took this advice and made the mac and cheese with half sharp cheddar and half gruyere.  The recipe was surprisingly easy to make.  The directions were straightforward and the ingredients were easy to find and prepare.  The mac and cheese had a wonderfully rich orange-red cover.  Their decadent creaminess was balanced by the crunchy, bread crumb top of the dish.  Of course, it was wonderfully spicy, but I am pleased to say it wasn’t too much.  The flavors were well balanced, and while this was by no means a healthy dish, I was very pleased with the results.

The Sriracha Cookbook would make a wonderful gift for anyone who is a fan of “rooster sauce”.  The recipes in this book are intriguing, and they provide a step up from just dumping the sauce on any dish that comes your way.  Randy Clemens is clearly a fan of Sriracha, as the recipes in this book are easy to make, tasty, and balance the spiciness of the sauce well with other flavors.  I can’t wait to try more of the dishes in it.

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Title: Saturday
Author: Ian McEwan
ISBN: 9781400076192
Pages: 304
Release Date: April 11, 2006
Publisher: Anchor
Genre: Literary Fiction
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Saturday follows the course of one day in neurosurgeon Henry Perowne’s life.  It begins with his early rise in the morning, only to witness a fiery plane crash at London’s Heathrow airport at his bedroom window.  This fiery experience is indicative of Henry’s eventful day, as he has an encounter, the consequences of which will change his life and that of his family’s forever.

Review:

Saturday is a novel that takes place in just one day, from the time Henry Perowne wakes up to when he goes to bed.  During that day, he undergoes all the mundanity of life, but also some shocking, unexpected twists that will change him forever.  Henry himself is a sane man in a world gone mad.  He tries to make sense of what he sees around him, the emotion, the negativity, the terrorism and finds himself lost.  Despite this confusion, Perowne is satisfied in his bourgeois life - a gifted surgeon, he is comforted by his privileged existence, one that he worked hard for.

McEwan’s writing is razor sharp and precise; he wields his pen much like Henry wields a scalpel.  Every word has its place and its own purpose; there are no stray phrases or errant thoughts.  Much of the novel is Henry’s inner monologue about the world he lives in, and while sometimes his thoughts are engaging, they often drag.  More than once, I found myself ready to find out what happens next in Henry’s day, rather than read pages of his thoughts on what has already occurred.  This is not a novel of action, but is a contemplative one.

A main theme running through Saturday is that of consequences.  All actions have their own consequences, whether observable or not, and Henry learns this in the most difficult way at the end of the book.  The entire novel has an ominous feel; from the explosive beginning with the plane crash, readers know the book is building towards something, and that it probably isn’t good.  It’s interesting to see how McEwan uses this dread and the shock of violence as a metaphor for the world’s experience at dealing with terrorism.

While Saturday was certainly an interesting novel, it wasn’t my favorite of McEwan’s.  I found my attention wandering more than once, and Henry and his family are too perfect in the overachieving department to really be believable.  That being said, it was an interesting, thoughtful novel about the effects of terrorism and violence on our society, and so is worth reading despite my issues.  I recommend this book to anyone who’s in the mood for contemplative literary fiction.

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Title: Danse Macabre
Author: Gerald Elias
ISBN: 9780312541897
Pages: 288
Release Date: August 31, 2010
Publisher: Minotaur
Genre: Mystery
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

After the events of Devil’s Trill, blind violin teacher Daniel Jacobus has put aside his familiar curmudgeonly nature to travel to his friend’s concert at Carnegie Hall.  After the concert, the unthinkable happens - the star violinist, Rene Allard, is found murdered and his protégé, BTower, is seen hovering over the body by a witness.  Jacobus is sure this is an open and shut case, until one year later, when BTower’s lawyer contacts him with some interesting information.

Review:

Danse Macabre brings back the wonderfully bitter and difficult violinist Daniel Jacobus to solve a brand new crime in the world of classical musicians.  This time, Jacobus has backed off from his hostile nature and is a bit more genial.  That’s not to say he isn’t vibrant and full of personality; Jacobus is as vivid as ever, a unique character who leaps off the page.  But he seems to hate his life less in this book, which is a welcome change. 

Once again, Gerald Elias immerses the reader in the world of classical music, imparting his vast knowledge to the reader.  Elias’ ability to manipulate the story such that he can include little tidbits and fun facts along the way is unmatched.  Additionally, the reader learns an impressive amount while being thoroughly entertained.  It’s an amazing gift, and one Elias wields wonderfully.  As a result, his Daniel Jacobus mysteries are a must-read for anyone intrigued by the world of classical music and those who inhabit it.

The mystery in Danse Macabre is in no way predictable; in fact, I found myself surprised again and again by the twists and turns Elias took me on.  This is a short, easy novel to read, so it’s simple to consume the entire book in one sitting.  The mystery stands on its own, so it’s not necessary to have read Devil’s Trill before reading Danse Macabre, though I would suggest it.  Danse Macabre discusses the ending of its prequel, such that you can’t read them out of order, and you’d be missing out on a highly entertaining read.

I absolutely love these classical music mysteries; they are well-written and engaging, with memorable characters and a fascinating centerpiece of violinists.  It mixes history, music, and cutthroat competition with one of the most curmudgeonly, ungrateful men in literature, a blind man who accomplishes amazing feats with his enhanced remaining senses.  Readers won’t be able to get enough of Daniel Jacobus if they read these two novels; I’m eager to pick up the next book in this series.

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Title: The Blueberry Years: A Memoir of Farm and Family
Author: Jim Minick 
ISBN: 9780312571429
Pages: 352
Release Date: August 31, 2010
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

When Jim and Sarah Minick decide to pursue their dream of owning an organic blueberry farm, they didn’t realize how much work their dreams would entail.  This memoir chronicles their “blueberry years”, the years they worked as teachers during the day and as farmers on the nights and weekends, tending to their blueberry crops and creating something amazing.

Review:

The Blueberry Years is a beautifully written memoir about Jim Minick’s twelve years as a blueberry farmer.  With all the contemporary discussions about homesteading and sustainability, Minick’s book is a fascinating glimpse into the life of someone who tried to practice these noble yet difficult ideals.  I admired Jim’s determination and dedication, especially considering he had a day job and thus the blueberry farm was a labor of love.  Even more, I thought it was incredible he chose to grow his blueberries organically, especially considering the advice of his friends and neighbors on how difficult it would be.  Jim’s resolve to make his blueberry years work for him and Sarah were really the backbone of this charming memoir.

While many people romanticize the “simpler” life of farming, Minick dispels all glorified notions on the subject.  He discusses each painful, difficult step in detail, from his (failed) experiment with beekeeping to trying to clear space for the blueberry bushes on the farm.  It’s both eye-opening and engrossing.  The best part of the memoir, however, is when Minick discusses the simple rewards, those small blue berries that make every muscle ache, every drop of sweat worth it.  It’s clear how much the author loves blueberries and how rewarding the experience is for him.

The most amazing part of The Blueberry Years is Jim’s gorgeous prose.  I cannot praise his writing talent highly enough.  At times, I wanted to weep with the beauty of what Jim was expressing.  It’s clear that he poured such love into each word of this memoir, and it makes the book a complete joy to read.  His prose is a comfort to the eyes, a place of solace and rest.  Jim’s frankness and honesty really come through in the book and make the writing that much more appealing.

The organization of The Blueberry Years is also worth mentioning.  Jim simplifies the timeline of their years on the farm in order to tell the most engaging story possible, and it works very well.  Additionally, in between each chapter is an interlude on blueberries, some information or an anecdote about the fruit, and they’re well placed and interesting.  I appreciated how he broke up the overall story with these devices.  My favorite part, though, was the recipes at the back of the book; I’d already been planning to go blueberry picking next summer after reading The Blueberry Years.  Now I have suggestions of what to make with my blue haul.

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Title: Sunrise of Avalon
Author: Anna Elliott
ISBN: 9781416589914
Pages: 448
Release Date: September 13, 2011
Publisher: Touchstone
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Warning: This book may contain spoilers for the previous books in the trilogy, Twilight of Avalon and Dark Moon of Avalon.

Summary:

Isolde thought she and Trystan could finally be together after all that has kept them apart, but the lure of settling his past is too strong for Trystan.  Once again, she lets him go, unsure of whether he will return to her.  Meanwhile, Isolde must turn her attention to High King Madoc and his tenuous hold on the alliance against Octa and Lord Marche.  She knows there is a traitor on the council, but who could it be? And what kind of damage might they do before they are discovered?

Review:

Sunrise of Avalon is the explosive conclusion to Anna Elliott’s Trystan and Isolde trilogy, and Elliott makes sure the reader is in suspense from beginning to end.  From the first page, it’s clear that the novel will end with some sort of great battle; after all, that’s what the entire trilogy has been leading to.  But the author takes her time getting there, weaving multiple intricate plots that all come together in a satisfying conclusion.

Isolde has grown up by the time Sunrise of Avalon begins, but she is still the same woman readers have come to know and love.  She’s strong, resourceful, and incredibly brave.  She has a wonderful desire to help others, even if it comes at great cost to herself.  She hasn’t lost that tendency to rush in before thinking things through, which can be frustrating, but is a real testament to her sense of duty.

Readers really see the relationship between Isolde and Trystan for the first time in Sunrise of Avalon.  It’s been wonderful to watch their love unfold over the course of two books, but this is the first time the reader really gets to see them as a couple.  I’ll admit that their interactions seemed a bit modern to me, but I found it satisfying overall.  I would have enjoyed that exploration continuing over the course of the novel, even if Trystan had to depart.  It’s understandable why he felt he needed to take the action he did, but it’s unclear why he decides he can’t be with Isolde at all except to create drama for the book.

There are many reinventions of the Arthur legend in print today, but Anna Elliott’s is one of the most creative and enjoyable that I’ve come across.  She completely reimagines the tale, creating an entirely new history, and crafts it as historical fiction rather than fantasy.  I highly recommend this entire trilogy, with one caveat - it’s much easier to read these books close together than to wait lengthy intervals between each.  The books are carefully written with many subplots, and though Elliott does try and provide a refresher, it’s much easier to have the previous book fresh in your mind before picking up the next.  Now that the entire trilogy has been released, I definitely think that interested readers should seek it out.

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Title: The Ionia Sanction
Author: Gary Corby
ISBN: 9780312599010
Pages: 352
Release Date: November 8, 2011
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Historical Mystery
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

After the events of The Pericles Commission, Nicoloas is thrilled by his new job as a private investigator.  That is, until Pericles charges him with a new task - to solve the murder of an Athenian official, as well as to decipher a cryptic note left behind.  Pericles is a demanding boss, and Nico is lost without his girlfriend's help - after his father rejected their prospective marriage, Diotima fled to Ephesus.  Now, as Nico’s search takes him to that city and beyond, he must use all his wits to determine the truth and tie together all the mysteries that have sprung up.

Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed The Pericles Commission, so I was thrilled to pick up its sequel The Ionia Sanction.  Once again, Nico is an endearing, if bumbling character.  He is smart, but nothing ever seems to go his way.  Time and time again, he is caught in the most difficult of situations, and often they are of his own making.  The genius of Nico is that there is a sharp intelligence behind the clumsy personality; his powers of deduction are admirable and he has improved his skills since the first book, able to make connections on his own now instead of relying on Diotima.

I was thoroughly impressed by the amount of research that went into this book and its historical accuracy.  The author’s note at the end of the book goes on for pages and pages, as Corby discusses his inspirations, research, and the facts behind The Ionia Sanction.  This book is so well researched that, at one point, Nico hides in a brothel while in Ephesus.  Corby details the location of that brothel in the actual city, noting that it was actually at that place and readers can visit it in the ruins of Ephesus.  This amount of detail was simply stunning to me, and it made Corby’s vivid descriptions and wonderful sense of place extra impressive.

The mystery in The Ionia Sanction is an interesting one concerning a “proxenos”, the concept of which I found absolutely fascinating.  In Ancient Greece, instead of having a diplomat from another country/empire/etc. come live in your city and represent that place’s interest, a citizen from your own city with a tie to that foreign country would represent their interests in the city.  It’s a very interesting twist, and provides much fodder for the mystery.  There are many characters to keep straight in this book, and sometimes the plot can become confusing, but overall, it’s a gripping and engaging mystery that readers will enjoy.

I was so pleased to find that The Ionia Sanction really lived up to The Pericles Commission’s promise.  It’s amusing, very interesting, and the mystery will keep readers hooked from beginning to end.  I really love the Nico series, especially because of how much I learn about Ancient Greece from Corby.  I hope he continues to write this series for a good long while.

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Title: Obedience
Author: Will Lavender
ISBN: 9780307396389
Pages: 304
Release Date: January 6, 2009
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

In an undergraduate Logic class at Winchester University, the students of the small class are in for a huge shock.  The class is taught by a Professor L. Williams, a mystery in and of himself, and on the first day of class, he tells them that a girl named Polly will be murdered in six weeks and it is up to them to prevent it.  Three students, Mary Butler, Brian House, and Dennis Flaherty, find themselves obsessed with the mystery and are willing to follow it through to whatever end.

Review:

Upon first glance, Obedience, Will Lavender’s debut, is a very similar thriller to his latest book Dominance.  Both are set in a small town on a college campus.  Both feature a professor that can’t be trusted and a mystery that, at first glance, is contained within the class.  But as the novel progresses, it becomes clear that the mystery is not confined to the classroom walls; it begins to seep into real life, until the students are unsure of what is true and what is false.  Though these books unfold differently, if you don’t like the premise of one, you will likely not be interested in the other.

While Dominance takes place in two different time periods, Obedience is told in the present day.  The character of  Mary is the most sympathetic; she becomes obsessed with the idea of solving the Polly mystery because she is certain Polly will actually end up dead if no one tries to save her.  Though she can’t let go (and that would be the smart thing to do), she becomes increasingly frightened.  The class and the Polly mystery begin to take on a very sinister turn, one which will have chills running down the reader’s spine.

The plot of Obedience is twisty and gripping; I was completely hooked on the crazy turns the narrative took.  Even when I had trouble believing what was going on, I still frantically read because I just had to know what was going on.  At times, the plot is so intricate and complex and it’s difficult to follow, but follow it you must.  If anything is crystal clear in this muddled novel, it’s that the reader, through Mary, is being led somewhere. 

In the end, Obedience was a bit unsatisfying.  I’m not sure what kind of ending would have been sufficient for such a crazy novel, but I didn’t love the way it came together.  Still, I really enjoyed reading the book, even if I had a few issues with the plot and had a bit of trouble with the way it unfolded. I love how unsettled it made me while I was reading.  The small town professor-class-mystery seems to be a formula for Lavender, but he makes it work well, so I can’t say I have any complaints.

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Title: The New Southern Garden Cookbook
Author: Sheri Castle
ISBN: 9780807834657
Pages: 456
Release Date: May 4, 2011
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Genre: Cookbook
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review:

The New Southern Garden Cookbook has one thing in mind: veggies, veggies, veggies.  Maybe you’re a member of your local CSA, or spend time browsing your farmer’s market.  Maybe you have your own garden, or are just looking for some delicious recipes to increase your vegetable intake.  Whatever it might be, if it has to do with vegetables, this cookbook is a great resource.

The presentation of The New Southern Garden Cookbook isn’t quite the glossy paged feast for the eyes that I usually adore in a cookbook, but it’s understandable why.  The book clocks in at a whopping 420 pages; I can’t imagine how heavy or thick it would be if it had used that sort of paper.  It does have three small sections of mouthwatering pictures in it, and the green and white color scheme for the rest of the pages works incredibly well for the “fresh veggies” theme.

I am completely enamored of how The New Southern Garden Cookbook is organized.  Usually, I prefer a traditional recipe classification - appetizers, main dishes, desserts, etc.  But Sheri Castle chose to categorize her cookbook by vegetable, which makes perfect sense, if you think about its objective.  That way, it’s easy for readers to look at their farmer’s market haul or CSA box and say “I need sweet potato recipes!” or “What am I going to do with field peas”?  It’s the perfect way to approach this cookbook, and I really appreciate how easy it makes things.

There are countless recipes in this cookbook, and each one is accompanied by some sort of commentary from the author.  These sections contain anecdotes, information, cultural tidbits, and more, and are worth reading just for fun.  For example, before the recipe for Hominy and Pork in Green Chile Sauce, Castle discusses the term “pork butt” and how the unsavory name came from Revolutionary War times, when pork shoulder was stored in barrels called butts. 

I had some beautiful looking zucchini, so I chose to make the Italian Sausage and Tortellini Soup recipe.  I absolutely loved how Castle warned me that the soup doesn’t keep once the tortellini are added, and gave some suggestions on how to store the soup.  The recipe was simple to make, and happily didn’t require too many ingredients.  My husband and I both enjoyed this thick, hearty soup, and I have a feeling it’s going to become a regular menu item whenever zucchini is in season.  In fact, I have a feeling I’m going to be going back to this cookbook again and again; it’s going to become a real resource in my kitchen.

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Title: Secrets of the Tudor Court: By Royal Decree
Author: Kate Emerson
ISBN: 9781439177815
Pages: 384
Release Date: December 14, 2010
Publisher: Gallery Books
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

When King Henry VIII’s eye falls on Elizabeth Brooke after his marriage to his fifth wife, Katherine Howard, ends after her death, Elizabeth is concerned.  She has no desire to be the queen, especially considering the precarious nature of that role, and besides, she is in love with someone else.  Will Parr is a dashing, handsome man, but there is just one problem:  Will is already married, and although he has been separated from his wife for years, he cannot remarry unless the king wills it. 

Review:

By Royal Decree is the perfect subtitle for the latest novel in the Secrets of the Tudor Court series.  It seems as though all of Elizabeth’s fortunes rest on the whim of the king, and her life is dictated by what he decrees.  Over the course of the novel this theme is highlighted again and again, emphasizing that courtiers during the time period were completely vulnerable to the whims of their monarch.  It’s so frustrating to watch Elizabeth try to live her life as best she can when none of decisions she can make to bring herself happiness are in her hands.

Elizabeth Brooke is an honest, sympathetic woman, though she is horribly naïve.  Time and time again, she believes she can make things happen simply because she wants them to.  She doesn’t seem to understand the world around her, nor how cruel people can be.  Nor does she seem to fully comprehend the politics surrounding her.  That’s not to say she’s stupid, because she’s not - she’s just characteristic of a woman of her times.  She wanted to have an education, but her father felt it was unnecessary, which is sad, but typical of the time period.

Once again, Emerson does an excellent job with the time period and history behind this book.  The novel is set during an extremely tumultuous (and interesting) time in English history - the end of the reign of Henry VIII.  Elizabeth Brooke and Will Parr were important during these events, and it’s fascinating to see their view, especially considering the choices they made and the sides they picked.  I really enjoy this series of standalone novels set during the Tudor period; they are reliably well-researched and engaging.

Secrets of the Tudor Court: By Royal Decree is an interesting historical novel focusing on major players during the time period.  Focusing on the nobles at court, rather than on the king and queen themselves, gives this entire series a fresh perspective and endless new stories to tell.  If you’re a fan of historical fiction, this is a novel worth reading.

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Title: The Death Cure
Author: James Dashner
ISBN: 9780385738774
Pages: 336
Release Date: October 11, 2011
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Genre: Teen/YA, Dystopian
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Thomas and the Gladers have been lied to again and again by WICKED - first in The Maze Runner and then in The Scorch Trials.  But then WICKED does something shocking - they tell Thomas and the others that the time for deception is over.  WICKED wants to return their memories so they will remember everything.  Thomas is unenthused by the idea; while he is interested in what lays forgotten in his memory, he doesn’t like what he knows about the person he used to be.  Thomas must decide if he trusts WICKED or if he wants to take his chances on his own in the Flare-addled world.

Review:

In the final book in the Maze Runner trilogy, it seems as though Thomas might finally be getting some answers.  And indeed, The Death Cure is packed full of little revelations, tidbits any reader of the series will enjoy knowing.  The novel moves at a fast pace, cramming an impressive amount of story and action into a small package.  The glimpses of the world provided in the book make for a frightening discovery; at times, the reader wonders if Thomas might be better off under the protective shield of WICKED.  They might be untrustworthy, but at least they provide safety.

Thomas falls easily back into his role as a natural leader in The Death Cure, but as the novel progresses, he becomes more unsure of himself.  It’s one thing to make decisions in a WICKED-controlled environment, where he was shaped to be the leader of the Gladers.  It’s quite another to do it in a world he is unfamiliar with and doesn’t understand.  He also makes poor choices; over the course of the novel, the reader is reminded again and again how smart Thomas is, how his intelligence tests were off the charts.  “For such a smart kid, Thomas sure is stupid,” I kept thinking to myself as I was reading.

The Death Cure didn’t quite live up to the incredible story that was The Maze Runner, but it was a satisfying conclusion to an exciting series.  Once again, Thomas must deal with serious dilemmas and ethical situations that keep the book complex.  Even if you don’t love the novel’s story, the book is worth reading for the Epilogue.  I wasn’t expecting it and I was left reeling by its implications and thought it was an ingenious way to end the story.  It was a great way to tie the books together (and I loved the homage to the first novel towards the end of The Death Cure); overall, I think the Maze Runner trilogy is one of the better YA dystopian series I’ve had the pleasure of reading.

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Title: Little Gale Gumbo
Author: Erika Marks
ISBN: 9780451234650
Pages: 432
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Publisher: NAL Trade
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Camille Bergeron fled New Orleans, Louisiana with her two beloved daughters Josie and Dahlia and settled on Little Gale, an island off the coast of Maine, thinking they would move along soon.  But when they are welcomed by Ben Haskell and his teenage son, Matthew, they think that staying might not be the worst decision.  Years later, when the girls are grown and Camille has passed, Josie and Dahlia’s biological father, Charles, returns to the island and has an encounter that leaves Ben in the hospital and exposes the fictions Dahlia and Josie have been hiding behind all these years.

Review:

Little Gale Gumbo is a charming novel full of love and hope, but also about the difficult nature of family.  When Camille leaves New Orleans with her daughters, she is only thinking of their safety, something she should have done long before.  Camille is a practitioner of voodoo, and Marks gives the reader a glimpse into this foreign culture and religion.  Camille, and Josie after her, really believes in her protective spells and enchantments.  However, even voodoo is not enough to keep the family safe from Charles; it can be frustrating to see how Camille bends to his will, one of the classic symptoms of an abused woman.

Dahlia and Josie are both complex and well-written characters.  When she’s young, Dahlia escapes from the world with the boys around her, sure she will never be truly loved.  As an adult, Dahlia refuses to commit to any real relationship.  On the other hand, Josie is a married woman, but hasn’t found the happiness she so desperately seeks.  Both of these sisters compete over the affections of Matthew; Dahlia because that’s where she’s comfortable and Josie because she truly believes she loves him.  When it comes to Matthew, readers will want to shake sense into both of these woman.  Their lives are twisted and complex, but they are a lot of fun to read.

The food in Little Gale Gumbo is mouthwatering and left me craving some spicy Creole gumbo.  The descriptions are absolutely wonderful, and this attention to detail is characteristic of the entire novel.  Marks uses such subtle details and shading in order to build her story.  She really pays attention to the small things, and it pays off with the rich atmosphere and the way the characters leap off the page.  Marks creates an entire world with her novel, one that readers will want to immerse themselves in.

Though sometimes I wanted to reach into Little Gale Gumbo and talk some sense into the characters, that doesn’t mean I enjoyed the book any less.  It just means that Marks wrote realistic characters full of messy relationships that make mistakes, just like any person.  The beauty of this book is in the relationships and Marks’ definition of family, how the Bergeron/Haskell family came together and became one.  This would make a great book club pick, as readers will want to thoroughly discuss the characters of Josie and Dahlia.

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Title: Everything We Ever Wanted
Author: Sara Shepard
ISBN: 9780062080066
Pages: 352
Release Date: October 11, 2011
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Sylvia Bates-McAllister recently lost her husband and has been focusing on her job as a board member of the private school that her grandfather founded.  However, even that refuge is shattered when Sylvia is informed that her son, Scott, has been implicated in a student’s death.  The teenager committed suicide, and there are rumors that he was hazed at the hands of his fellow students and Scott, the coach, allowed it to happen.  This news changes each member of the Bates-McAllister family and forces them to reevaluate their lives.

Review:

Everything We Ever Wanted is a timely novel packed with discussion points that many readers will appreciate.  The book focuses on four characters: Sylvia, her sons Scott and Charles, and Charles’ wife Joanna.  Each of these characters has serious issues that they must address, both personally and with one another.  I would venture to say that neither Scott nor Charles are really likeable, especially on the surface; they both seem selfish, and Charles cannot get over his resentment of his adopted brother.  On the other hand, Scott seems completely ungrateful; his parents have given him everything, and he chooses to squander their love and resources.

The entire novel centers around the distortion between perceptions and reality.  At some point in the novel, each character in Everything We Ever Wanted must face the fact that reality may not be in line with the way they perceive it.  For Joanna, it’s marrying into the Bates-McAllister family; she had this idea of a grandiose style of life with glitz and glamour, but she discovers instead that the family is like their house: a crumbling façade desperate to keep up appearances. 

Likewise, Charles and Joanna have a certain perception of Scott, who seems to relish in destroying what is around him.  While the truth is more complex than that, Scott does nothing to try and change their opinion.  It provokes an interesting discussion - whose job is it to try and communicate the truth?  Should Charles and Joanna have tried harder, dug deeper, or is it Scott’s job to communicate his true feelings, to rise above their perceptions?  Questions like this will have readers itching to discuss this book, and as a result it would make a great book club pick.

I really could discuss the characters in Everything We Ever Wanted for hours.  They are each complex and extremely well crafted; they jump off the page, screaming to be treated as real people rather than characters in a novel.  They aren’t all likeable, nor are their actions always easy to understand, but in the end, Shepard reminds us of one thing: they are human.  They make mistakes and errors in judgment, but in the end, family is family.

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Title: The Wandering Falcon
Author: Jamil Ahmad
ISBN: 9781594488276
Pages: 256
Release Date: October 13, 2011
Publisher: Riverhead
Genre: Literary Fiction, Cultural Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Set in the post-WWII era in the mess of land on the Pakistani, Afghani, and Iranian border, The Wandering Falcon follows the life of Tor Baz, a nomad.  As Tor Baz visits the different tribes in the region, unwilling to settle with any of them and instead preferring a solitary life, the reader gets a sense of the difficulties of life in this harsh but beautiful environment.

Review:

The Wandering Falcon is a novel that seems like it takes place centuries ago, in the wild lands on the borders of Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.  The culture is ancient, and the nomadic way of life a time honored tradition among the tribes.  They live life as they have for hundreds of years; time seems to stand still in the desolate region.  But as modernity encroaches upon these nomadic tribes, the realities are jarring.  As the region becomes more important on the world stage and modern notions such as international borders set in, it impacts the life of Tor Baz and other nomads in ways no one could have predicted.

Jamil Ahmad’s descriptions of this desolate land are incredibly written.  His prose is spare and neat, but it holds so much power.  His details are vivid and he writes this land with such love and care, it’s clear that the region means something to him personally.  The terrain and weather is so unforgiving, yet there is a strange beauty to the entire place. 

Through Tor Baz, The Wandering Falcon examines the nomadic way of life, as well as the tribal culture of the region.  Readers get a glimpse into this completely foreign world, encountering the difficult realities of tribal justice (honor killings, kidnappings, etc.), but also getting the chance to explore the unique culture behind this lifestyle.  Tor Baz himself was an orphan, raised by many different people, so he is a wanderer even among the nomads.  Through his quest for closeness to God, the reader really gets a sense of life in this desolate place.

The Wandering Falcon is a beautiful meditation on the life of a nomad in an increasingly modernizing world.  Ahmad uses his wonderful prose to illuminate Tor Baz’s life, shedding light on a forgotten people.  This is eighty-year-old Jamil Ahmad’s debut novel, and I certainly hope he will continue with this craft, as this is a wonderfully poignant novel about the difficulties of change.

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