Title: Trust Your Eyes
Author: Linwood Barclay
ISBN: 9780451237903
Pages: 512
Release Date: September 4, 2012
Publisher: NAL
Genre: Thriller
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

Ray Kilbride isn’t thrilled to be back in his hometown. His father just passed away, so he has to put his affairs in order, but he wants to leave as soon as possible. The problem is Ray’s brother Thomas, who is schizophrenic and spends all his time in his bedroom memorizing maps. Ray doesn’t know how to deal with his brother, so when Thomas comes to him claiming to have seen a murder on his online map software, Ray doesn’t know what to think.

Review:

Trust Your Eyes is a thriller that takes on the world of online satellite maps. Thomas Kilbride spends his days memorizing cities across the globe. His recall is incredible, yet for all his intelligence, he barely can function is his day-to-day life. It’s easy to understand why Ray is so frustrated with his situation. He can’t leave Thomas alone in the house because he’ll be unable to feed and take care of himself, yet Thomas refuses to consider moving to an assisted living facility where his needs can be met. Barclay does a great job portraying the frustrations of living with someone with a mental illness, as well as showing how many simply cannot understand the intricacies of such a condition.

The novel tells two different storylines simultaneously: that of Thomas and Ray’s, and that of a political campaign. It’s difficult to see how the two are connected at first, and admittedly, the political campaign storyline is slow. Eventually, the dual plotlines merge, but even then, it’s Thomas and Ray who have the more interesting story.

Barclay takes the reader on many different twists and turns in Trust Your Eyes. Readers will think the story is leading in one direction, only to have the author surprise them with another plot twist. It’s an entertaining read, to be sure, and while it’s not one that will stick with the reader long-term, it’s great when you’re looking for an effortless read.

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Have you ever heard about a book and thought, “That sounds nice, but I don’t think it’s for me,” and then suddenly it’s EVERYWHERE and everyone you know LOVES it and is gushing about it, even the people whose opinions you really respect, but you still have absolutely no desire to read said book?

This happens to me ALL the time.

My first impression of a book is often the one that sticks. I’ll read a summary, and sometimes I’m curious, but don’t want to pick it up immediately. I’ll read reviews and thoughts from others, and if they’re positive, I’ll move the book to my “to read” list. But sometimes, I’ll read a summary and just know that I’m not interested in the book. And then it explodes. And everyone loves it. And even though I know I should give it a chance because everyone’s saying it’s the best book of all time, I just can’t bring myself to even want to read it.

The worst part is the few times I’ve picked up one of these books, despite my thoughts that it wasn’t for me. And guess what? My initial instinct is always right! It’s frustrating to not be interested in a book everyone else seems to love, but it’s even worse to read it and and say to yourself, “Really? That’s what everyone’s going on and on about?” So I have a policy now: if I’m not interested in it in the first place, no amount of hype or gushing can get me to read it.

Have you enjoyed reading a book that you were initially not interested in, but hype pushed you into giving it a chance?

Title: Ready Player One
Author: Ernest Cline
ISBN: 9780307887436
Pages: 384
Release Date: August 16, 2011
Publisher: Crown
Genre: Dystopian
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:

The year is 2044, and the world is…well, let’s just say it’s a depressing place you wouldn’t really want to live. Luckily for Earth’s denizens, they can escape to OASIS, a massive virtual reality in which people spend most of their time. Wade Watts is a teenager who attends school in OASIS. His greatest dream? To solve the puzzle that OASIS’ creator, James Halliday, left behind. Halliday was a reclusive eccentric obsessed with the 1980s, and anyone who solves the puzzle will inherit Halliday’s vast fortune. Wade devotes himself to figuring out the clues Halliday left behind in OASIS, but he doesn’t expect danger to be following him at every turn.

Review:

Ready Player One is perhaps one of the most unique books I’ve ever read, and that’s saying something. It’s also incredibly difficult to review and do it justice because there is so much going on within its pages. Let’s start with Wade. He’s a nobody, just some teenage kid living in a trailer park with no means or way to get ahead in life. All he has is his brain, his wit, and his ardent desire to improve his lot in life. From the very first page, readers will absolutely love Wade, and his creativity and intelligence will impress readers over and over again.

If you have little familiarity with the 1980s, then you may not truly grasp the magic of Ready Player One. It’s full of obscure trivia and random references to the pop culture of the decade. It really gives the reader a way to identify with the story, which is great since it’s set in a dismal future. Again and again, Cline delights the reader with 80s culture, from video games to movies to music.

The story of Ready Player One is basically a treasure hunt, with little Wade working on his own against the goliath, trying to solve Halliday’s last puzzle. Cline keeps the novel moving at a wonderful pace; readers won’t have a spare second to be bored or wonder what is going to happen next as they race through this book. It’s perfectly plotted and Cline keeps the twists and turns coming as the novel progresses. It’s wonderful to root Wade on as he becomes an adventurer, and it’s a lot of fun to try and solve the puzzles along with the main character.

Ready Player One has a complex story and countless different elements, and they really shouldn’t work. With any other author, this would be a jumbled mess that readers wouldn’t be able to decipher. But Cline’s genius is in bringing these disparate elements together so seamlessly that they make up an amazing, thoughtful, wondrous novel that will have readers riveted from beginning to end.

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Title: The Divorce of Henry VIII: The Untold Story from Inside the Vatican
Author: Catherine Fletcher
ISBN: 9780230341517
Pages: 288
Release Date: June 19, 2012
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Genre: History, Non-Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:

Many people are aware of the story of Henry VIII’s divorce from Katherine of Aragon, but few know what was happening behind the scenes at the Vatican. Catherine Fletcher takes the reader to Italy during this time period to uncover the actions of Gregorio Casali, the man who presented the English king’s divorce case to the Pope.

Review:

It’s always interesting to read about well-known historical events from unique points of view, so my curiosity was definitely piqued by The Divorce of Henry VIII. I’ve read countless books on this topic, both non-fiction and fiction alike, but I’d never read anything that told the story of what actually happened at the Vatican during the years Henry VIII was trying to achieve a divorce.

It’s a good thing I’d read all those accounts, though, because The Divorce of Henry VIII gives little background on these events. Fletcher assumes the reader knows the political situation and the people involved in it well; she doesn’t spare time to give the overarching explanations or set up the pieces. This is very much a niche book that focuses in narrowly on one man and his actions in the larger spectrum of Henry VIII’s divorce case. If you’re looking for a broad book analyzing Henry VIII’s divorce, this isn’t the one you should pick up.

The Divorce of Henry VIII is jam-packed full of interesting information and unique tidbits about the king’s divorce. I wasn’t aware of much of this information previously, and it helped flesh out the story of what was happening in Rome during this time period. The book focuses just as much on internal politics in Italy as it does on the king’s divorce, so it’s good if you’re looking for some background on what was happening in other areas simultaneously. However, the book does suffer from extremely dry writing, which makes it difficult to read. It feels a bit jumbled and doesn’t have a cohesive narrative. While the book does deliver interesting information, it’s not an easy, enjoyable read.

If you’re a fan of all things Tudor and seek out any book you can find on the subject, The Divorce of Henry VIII might be a good book to pick up.  Alternatively, if you’re a historian and are used to difficult writing, again, this would be a good choice. But if you’re a layperson seeking out an interesting, informative read, you should be warned that this book can be difficult. It’s got amazing information packed into its pages, but it’s not set up for someone that isn’t fully informed about the history and people involved.

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Happy Sunday, everyone! This is the last Sunday I’ll be checking in with you for a few weeks. I know I’ve been vaguely talking about “being busy” and things being “overwhelming” without really giving any sort of solid reason. Well, here it is: we’re moving! That’s right, we’ve purchased a lovely home in Washington, DC, and we’ll be moving in the next few weeks. Right now, I’m overwhelmed balancing work and the extraordinary number of details involved in buying a home. And in the next few weeks comes packing, moving, and unpacking. So apologies in advance for the further neglect this blog will undergo. I hope to have things back to normal soon!

I did get a few books read this week, though not many. Instead of posting only reviews as usual, I chose to post an opinion piece on not finishing books. I was really happy at the discussion it provoked, and it was interesting to read everyone else’s thoughts on the matter. I’ll try to do more of these going forward!

I also was forced to discuss some behind-the-scenes technical issues yesterday. To put it succinctly, if you read S. Krishna’s Books through an RSS reader (such as Google Reader), then you need to resubscribe to my feed to ensure to you continue to get updates.

Reviews posted this week:

There have been some shenanigans behind the scenes of S. Krishna’s Books. The bottom line is that Feedburner, a service I’ve used for the past few years to deliver RSS feeds and email subscriptions (if you don’t know what those are, it’s when you read this blog through a service such as Google Reader. If you come to the blog manually by typing in the address, then don’t worry about this post), is shutting down. I’m therefore moving everything over to a different service called Feedblitz.

What does this mean for you? If you subscribe by email, you shouldn’t see anything different. I’ve migrated my subscribers over to Feedblitz and everything should happen automatically. If you subscribe by RSS, please resubscribe to my RSS feed. I’ll keep the Feedburner feed running for now, but eventually I’ll have to shut it down (or the overlords at Google will take care of it for me).

Subscribe to my RSS Feed

And if you had no idea I had an email subscription, but would like to sign up, you can do that here:

Title: The Worst Thing
Author: Aaron Elkins
ISBN: 9780425240991
Pages: 304
Release Date: May 3, 2011
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

Bryan Bennett designs hostage negotiation plans for a living, but he refuses to have anything to do with these difficult situations. He was kidnapped as a boy, and still suffers from brutal panic attacks, but it wasn’t until a hostage negotiation went wrong a few years ago that he stopped working as a negotiator. Now, he works behind the scenes. When he’s asked to go to Iceland to deliver an in-person seminar on how to avoid being kidnapped, Bryan can’t say no, but what he doesn’t realize is that his worst fears are about to come true all over again.

Review:

The Worst Thing is a quiet novel that packs a punch. The storyline moves at a brisk but easy pace. For much of the novel, it doesn’t appear as if anything big is going to happen; it seems to deal more with Bryan’s personal demons than with an explosive storyline. All of a sudden, though, everything changes and the reader (and Bryan) are thrust into an entirely new situation. The book completely shifts direction, but it still maintains its well-plotted and thoughtful nature.

Readers will definitely feel for Bryan in The Worst Thing. He endured a horrific kidnapping ordeal as a child, and he still has crippling panic attacks because of it. One thing Elkins does incredibly well is put the reader inside the mind of someone in the midst of a panic attack. Bennett says that if you haven’t had a panic attack, it’s extremely difficult to imagine what they’re like, yet Elkins’ vivid descriptions help the reader to visualize them. Readers will feel their own hearts pounding along with Bennett’s and will sense the complete surrender, the surety that this attack will never end. It’s incredibly well done.

Elkins also takes the reader into the tactics behind hostage negotiations in The Worst Thing, and they’re very interesting to read about. What’s more, he populates the novel with well-drawn, three-dimensional characters. The only real flaw in the book is the twist at the very end; it’s wildly unpredictable, but it also feels a bit like a gimmick. It’s difficult to believe and entirely too strange. Still, overall, The Worst Thing is enjoyable, and while it’s not a book that will stick with you for a long time, it’s certainly fun while you’re reading it.

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I have a confession: I DNF many books. If you’re not familiar with the term “DNF”, it means choosing to put down a book that’s not working for you before you’ve finished it - literally “did not finish”. I often get asked by bloggers about my thoughts on choosing to DNF a review copy, or by readers on why I have more positive than negative reviews on my site. It’s simple: I have absolutely no qualms about putting down a book that isn’t working for me.

I think too many of us try to force our way into books we aren’t feeling, hoping that the further we get into it, the more we’ll love it. I’ve certainly been guilty of this in the past and have often regretted it. It happens most often when I loved a previous work of the author’s and am sure that, with just a few more pages, I’ll love this one just as much. But doing this too often makes reading feel like a job, an obligation, and that’s not a good thing.

But really, let’s face it: review copy or not, I’m not doing anyone any favors by forcing myself through a book I’m not enjoying. Reading and blogging is supposed to be a hobby. This is not a job where I’m paid to read and review books, whether I like them or not. Reading is supposed to be fun, and therefore, I don’t really want to push myself through books that aren’t working for me. And let’s face it, even if the book you’re reading is one you’re supposed to love, one that everyone else adores, it’s okay if it’s not for you. That happens to me a lot; sometimes I keep reading, hoping to find what everyone else likes. But not every book is going to appeal to every person, and there’s nothing wrong with admitting that. Chances are, if you come out and say it, someone else will come out of the woodwork and do the same (or already has, and you just weren’t aware of it.)

So there it is, my thoughts on choosing not to finish books. I don’t really have a system; some books get 30 pages, others get 200. It’s really when I find myself thinking “Ugh” when I have to pick a book back up that it gets DNFd. Life’s too short to read books you don’t like.

What are your thoughts on putting down books that aren’t working for you?

Title: 1222
Author: Anne Holt
ISBN: 9781451634723
Pages: 352
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: Scribner
Genre: Crime Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Hanne Wilhelmsen is a retired police inspector who was paralyzed by a bullet wound. She’s on a train heading north in Norway when the train derails. The passengers are shepherded to a nearby hotel where they have food and lodging, but absolutely no idea when they will be rescued due to a raging storm that could go on for days. When one of the train passengers is murdered, Hanne is forced to get involved to determine what happened to him.

Review:

1222 is a Scandinavian crime fiction novel with an interesting premise: it takes place in a completely closed environment. The train passengers’ basic needs are seen to; they have food, water, shelter, heat, and even beds. As far as accidents in remote locations and bad weather go, they could have done a lot worse. But the fact is, they’re trapped. This makes for some interesting politics. There’s a limited pool of suspects for the murderer, and what’s more, there’s an intense sense of closeness surrounding the book.

Hanne is an interesting character in 1222. Unlike most protagonists in these types of novels, she’s actually very reluctant to get involved. Now that she’s retired, Hanne is used to being left alone, and doesn’t appreciate being dragged into the investigation. She’s very good at what she does, though. She’s incredibly observant and understands people, which is funny considering how difficult she can be. She’s an easy character to like, especially if you like strong characters that have their own distinct personalities.

This is the ninth Hanne Wilhelmsen novel, though it’s very easy to approach 1222 as a standalone. In fact, this is the first book in this series to be translated into English, so unless you’re willing to read these books in their original Norwegian, you don’t have much of a choice in where you start. It’s fine to read this series out of order, as Holt does a wonderful job developing Hanne’s personality quirks for new readers.

If you’re looking for a unique, interesting mystery novel that will keep you hooked from beginning to end, 1222 is a great choice. Holt does a wonderful job throwing in twists and turns, as well as keeping the suspense level high. Though the identity of the murderer isn’t too difficult to guess (though the person’s motives are clever), it’s still a book well worth reading. Here’s hoping more of Anne Holt’s novels are translated into English, as I’d love to get to know Hanne better.

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Title: Some Kind of Fairy Tale
Author: Graham Joyce
ISBN: 9780385535786
Pages: 320
Release Date: July 10, 2012
Publisher: Doubleday
Genre: Literary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

When Tara Martin disappeared as a teenager, her brother, Peter, and their parents accepted the fact that she would never return. So when she shows up twenty years later on her parents’ doorstep, the entire family is shocked, especially because she doesn’t look any older than she was when she disappeared. What’s more, Tara’s story about where she was during this time period is difficult to believe and makes Peter question whether this is really his sister who’s returned.

Review:

Some Kind of Fairy Tale is a novel that tests the readers’ limits of belief. Tara is an appealing character, but her story about where she’s been (there’s a big hint in the title of the novel) isn’t credible. Readers may still want to believe her, but trustworthy, rational Peter acts as the devil’s advocate, the logical side to the reader’s brain. It’s interesting to see the toll this takes on Tara; she is happy to finally be home, but no one believes what she claims to be the truth.

From the beginning, the reader is aware of the fact that the unnamed narrator of the book isn’t trustworthy. It casts an interesting light on Some Kind of Fairy Tale, making it an intensely psychological read. The reader doesn’t know who they can believe, nor what is real. It gets more interesting as the narration jumps around; the reader tries to piece together what happened when Tara disappeared, and the varying accounts provide plenty of fodder for dissection and discussion.

Graham Joyce is an excellent writer, and he tells the story of Some Kind of Fairy Tale beautifully. The descriptions are vivid, and the entire novel has an ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere that fits in very well with the nature of the plot. Joyce’s writing style also enhances the psychological suspense of the novel, as readers see the fallout from Tara’s disappearance, as well as the repercussions of her return. Tara herself is torn between her family and the life she left behind, and her desire to return to that foreign place permeates the novel.

If you’re looking for a quiet, atmospheric read that has elements of psychological suspense, Some Kind of Fairy Tale is a good book to pick up. It’s not incredibly fast paced, but it keeps the reader’s attention from beginning to end. Joyce takes his time building his narrative, and the reader is rewarded with a thoughtful, well-written novel with questions that will linger in their mind long after the last pages are turned.

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Title: The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible
Author: A.J. Jacobs
ISBN: 9780743291484
Pages: 416
Release Date: September 9, 2008 
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

In an attempt to understand faith as a nonreligious person, A.J. Jacobs decides to live by every rule in the Bible for one year. He follows the rules we know: the Ten Commandments, but also the more obscure, such as not mixing clothing fibers and playing the harp. He chronicles his experiences in this memoir.

Review:

I’m not usually a huge fan of stunt memoirs, or memoirs in which people do strange or unique things for the explicit purpose of writing a memoir about them. A.J. Jacobs is a stunt memoirist, yet I’ve found that not only do his antics not bother me, but I actually quite enjoyed the one book I’ve read of his so far. Perhaps its his incredible honesty or his humorous writing style; either way, I was eager to delve into The Year of Living Biblically.

Jacobs chooses his quest in A Year of Living Biblically in an effort to more fully understand religion, and I’ll admit, at the beginning that sounded silly to me. But as I read the book, I found that Jacobs really was experiencing something profound. Not only was he cultivating a new outlook on religion, with more patience for rituals, but he also was developing a faith of his own. It’s incredibly interesting to read about his personal journey over the course of this book.

As you can imagine, parts of The Year of Living Biblically are very, very funny, such as when Jacobs finds he has to stone an adulterer. There are some classic scenes in this book that will have readers thoroughly amused. Jacobs does an excellent job combining humor, introspection, narrative, and research into various religions and rituals, and what’s more, he balances the story incredibly well. He provides a personal connection, while also ensuring the reader is learning something and is invested in the story, all with a laugh to go along with it. What more could you want in a read?

Despite the stunt nature of The Year of Living Biblically, Jacobs is actually very respectful of religion. If you’re easily offended, you may find Jacobs’ nonchalance off-putting, but I found it incredibly refreshing. Jacobs was honest with the reader about what he felt, but he tried to keep an open mind and was willing to learn. The most interesting part of the memoir, though, is Jacobs’ commentary and end conviction that it is almost impossible to actually follow the Bible literally. It’s a great read, and if you enjoy memoirs, you should definitely give it a chance.

Other books by A.J. Jacobs:

The Know-It-All: One Man’s Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World

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Title: The Second Empress: A Novel of Napoleon’s Court
Author: Michelle Moran
ISBN: 9780307953032
Pages: 320
Release Date: August 18, 2012
Publisher: Crown
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

The year is 1810, and the leader of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, seems to be unstoppable. The only thing that Napoleon doesn’t have is a male heir, as his wife Josephine is barren. He decides that it’s time to divorce Josephine and search for a new, younger wife. When Maria-Lucia, a princess of the Hapsburg family in Austria, is informed that she is Napoleon’s pick for a new bride, she knows she has no choice but to accept her fate.

Review:

The Second Empress is the story of Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife, Marie-Louise (her name was changed to be more palatable to the French), and the circumstances that surrounded Napoleon’s last few years in power. Moran introduces the reader to the Bonaparte family, and they are certainly unique. Napoleon is arrogant and has a quite odious personality, so if you’re a fan of his, you probably will intensely dislike his portrayal. He’s a man you love to hate as you’re reading this book. His sisters are infinitely more interesting, especially Pauline, who was losing her sanity by this point due to disease. Moran developed Pauline well, and it’s incredibly interesting to watch her descent into madness.

Marie-Louise is definitely an intriguing main character. Though she’s young, it’s clear she’s very smart and knows how to handle life at court. Her life as Napoleon’s empress isn’t exactly happy, and the reader sympathizes with her. Marie-Louise keeps the memory of Marie Antoinette’s fate close to her heart, as she was also an Austrian princess. It’s interesting to see the similarities between the lives of the two women.

Where The Second Empress falls short, though, is in its scope. Because it only focuses on the last years of Napoleon’s reign, the reader may feel as though the book isn’t comprehensive enough. Additionally, despite the relatively short length of the novel, Moran jam packs storylines into it, creating a less-than-cohesive feeling. That’s not to say it’s not good or well-written, just that it doesn’t seem to quite have the depth of Moran’s previous historical novels.

All in all, The Second Empress is a great read if you’re in the mood for something quick and light. Moran does an excellent job getting deep into the minds of her many characters, and as always, makes them leap off the page. Character development is one of her strongest skills, and it shines through in this book. This would also make a great pick for book clubs, as it’s an easy read and there are plenty of subjects to discuss within its pages.

Other books by Michelle Moran:

Cleopatra’s Daughter
The Heretic Queen
Madame Tussaud
Nefertiti

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Title: The Cranes Dance
Author: Meg Howrey
ISBN: 9780307949820
Pages: 384
Release Date: May 15, 2012
Publisher: Vintage
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Kate Crane has the coveted position of soloist in a ballet company located in New York City, but things aren’t quite as perfect as they appear on the surface. Kate’s younger sister, Gwen, who has managed to surpass her in all things ballet-related, has had a nervous breakdown and has gone back home. Kate’s boyfriend has just broken up with her for being too distant, and what’s more, Kate injured her neck in her latest performance. As Kate grapples to keep hold on what’s left of her life, she must deal with her feelings of inadequacy and guilt before it’s too late.

Review:

The Cranes Dance is an honest and unflinching look into the mechanics of a ballet company, as well as the close examination at the toll that takes on the psyche of a ballet dancer. Kate has achieved more than she ever dreamed of through her position as a soloist, yet she still hasn’t found happiness in her life. She must confront her own feelings of inadequacy, that everyone around her is judging her (and because she’s in a ballet company, she’s probably right.) The world of ballet is cutthroat, and Kate must also deal with jealousy from other dancers, as she herself is secretly jealous of Gwen’s talent and abilities.

The relationship between Kate and Gwen is an interesting one, fraught with tension, but also love. The book begins after Gwen has already left New York, and through flashbacks, Kate narrates the story of her sister’s long path towards mental illness. The reader sees symptom after symptom; Kate tried to make her sister get help, but in the end, she couldn’t protect her. Should she have done more? Should she have seen it coming? Kate’s guilt threatens to consume her, especially as she takes on some of Gwen’s roles in the ballet company.

Meg Howrey was a ballet dancer, and as a result, the reader is treated to quite a bit of ballet in The Cranes Dance. The book is graceful and nuanced, taking the reader through the daily life of a ballet dancer. Kate attends practices, schmoozes with donors, mentors a young, impressionable dancer, and performs, all while dealing with her inner turmoil. It’s a wonderful glimpse into a different world, and Howrey does an incredible job explaining things to readers unfamiliar with the ballet world.

If you’re looking for an intense psychological read, The Cranes Dance is a great book to pick up. As the book progresses, Kate finds it more and more difficult to process her emotions; the reader wonders if she, too, is headed towards a breakdown. The intense lifestyle that comes with being a ballet dancer is portrayed incredibly well in this book. Kate’s a very well written character, and readers will be hooked on her emotional journey as they hope she will find a way to cope. It’s a well-written, gripping, gorgeous novel that provides a tantalizing glimpse into the difficult, competitive world of professional ballet.

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Title: Miss Me When I’m Gone
Author: Emily Arsenault
ISBN: 9780062103109
Pages: 384
Release Date: July 31, 2012
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Literary Mystery
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Gretchen was Jamie’s best friend from college, and though they haven’t kept in touch well, Jamie still thinks fondly of her old friend. When Gretchen dies in a freak accident, falling down a steep set of stairs, Jamie is stunned. Gretchen’s family asks Jamie to function as Gretchen’s literary executor, to go through her most recent memoir and discover whether it’s fit to publish. But as Jamie delves into Gretchen’s writings, she realizes that Gretchen was focused on the murder of her mother, and that what she found might have been enough to get her killed.

Review:

Miss Me When I’m Gone is an atmospheric, slow-burning mystery about a decades-old murder. At the beginning, Jamie’s role as a literary executor is just a way for her to pay tribute to her old friend. But as she delves into Gretchen’s writings and begins to understand what she was researching, Jamie (along with the reader) becomes hooked. Gretchen becomes the prism through which Jamie begins to view everything she reads. What was Gretchen thinking? What did she discover?

This novel is unique in that there are different books interspersed throughout it. Gretchen was the author of one previous memoir/biography called Tammyland, in which she researched the lives of famous female country stars and used them to understand her own life experiences. Arsenault allows the reader glimpses of this story between chapters; it’s interesting and informative, and it also helps the reader to understand Gretchen. Additionally, the reader is treated to portions of Gretchen’s manuscript. Arsenault did an excellent job distinguishing between voices in Miss Me When I’m Gone; Gretchen’s writing doesn’t sound the same as Jamie’s narration. The structure of this novel likely wasn’t an easy thing to write, but Arsenault makes it look effortless.

This isn’t an action-packed mystery, but more of a literary one. It’s not a whodunit, focused on the identity of a killer. Rather, it hones in on Gretchen herself; Jamie’s goal is to understand the person her friend became and what she discovered before she died, rather than about solving a murder. But towards the last half of the book, the pace picks up, and Jamie becomes consumed with the identity of the killer. It’s a subtle shift, but it ensures that the reader is absolutely hooked on the novel from beginning to end.

If you’re looking for a gorgeously written novel that is completely gripping, Miss Me When I’m Gone is a great choice. Readers will be delighted by Jamie, who’s a great, competent main character who doesn’t allow herself to be treated like an invalid even though she’s pregnant, and will want to understand Gretchen. Emily Arsenault is a talented writer, and though I haven’t read any of her previous books, she’s definitely an author I’ll keep an eye on going forward.

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Title: Tangles: A Story About Alzheimer’s, My Mother, and Me
Author: Sarah Leavitt
ISBN: 9781616086398
Pages: 128
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
Genre: Graphic Memoir, Non-Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

When Sarah Leavitt’s mother is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at a young age, Sarah decides she’s going to chronicle their journey in a graphic novel. She takes the reader through the sad, hopeless experience that is watching someone you love deteriorate as a result of this unforgiving disease.

Review:

When you open Tangles: A Story About Alzheimer’s, My Mother, and Me, you know exactly what the story will be about, as well as how it will end. This isn’t a book you read to get to the ending. Instead, it’s a learning experience and devastating emotional journey as the reader sees what Sarah experienced when her mother, Midge, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Leavitt does a great job giving the reader a solid background and portraying her mother as a strong, confident woman. It makes her degeneration all the more tragic.

Tangles is incredibly powerful. It’s a difficult book to read, to be sure, as the reader can’t help but imagine themselves in Leavitt’s shoes. Watching Sarah’s mother avoid her diagnosis as much as possible, and then watching her deteriorate to the point where she doesn’t even know what she used to be - it’s definitely emotional. It’s impossible to understand what dealing with Alzheimer’s (or dementia in general) is like if you haven’t experienced it yourself, but Leavitt does an amazing job conveying it as much as possible to the reader.

This is a graphic memoir, with stark black and white drawings to illustrate the story. They’re very effective. Leavitt is a talented artist and writer, and she tells her story beautifully. If you’ve ever wondered whether a graphic memoir can really get the emotion across that a text-based book can, you should pick up Tangles. The simplicity of the drawings, the starkness of the text; it underlines the difficult situation perfectly.

Though Tangles, Sarah Leavitt conveys the difficult web of emotions that comes with Alzheimer’s - frustration, anger, and sadness, but most of all, Leavitt shows us that there is an enduring, unadulterated love. It’s a wonderful message for such a sad story. If you’ve ever had this tragedy happen to you, or are experiencing it now, you should not hesitate to read this book. Not only is it eye-opening about what you will have to face, but Leavitt wrote the memoir in an effort to help other families experiencing something similar cope with the diagnosis. No matter how you approach it, though, Tangles is one of the best, most emotional memoirs I’ve ever read, graphic or otherwise.

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Title: Radiant Shadows / Darkest Mercy
Author: Melissa Marr
ISBN: 9780061659249 / 9780061659270
Pages: 368 / 336
Release Date: February 22, 2011 / February 21, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Teen/YA
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 / 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

In Radiant Shadows, Ani, the half-human daughter of Gabriel, moves to the forefront of the series. She has been secretly protected from birth by Devlin, brother to the High Court faeries Sorcha and Bananach. Bananach decides she wants to kill Ani, and Devlin must protect her at all costs.

In Darkest Mercy, Melissa Marr brings the Wicked Lovely series to a close, returning the focus to Aislinn, the Summer Queen, as she prepares her court for war.

Review:

Radiant Shadows and Darkest Mercy are the last two books in the Wicked Lovely series, and they are complex. While Radiant Shadows seems to be like previous books in the series, there’s so much more going on underneath. From the beginning of the first book, it’s been clear that there’s a war brewing, and over the course of the series, each piece has clicked into place. Radiant Shadows is the last of them, such that when Darkest Mercy starts, everyone knows there will be war. As a result, it’s very important to remember the details of what happened on previous books before starting these. They build on one another, and while it may seem that they stand alone to a certain extent, there are deeper ties.

The story of Ani and Devlin in Radiant Shadows was interesting, but it didn’t quite draw me in like previous characters have. However, the other goings-on in the Faerie world were more than enough to keep me completely engaged from beginning to end. Additionally, it was clear that the role that Ani and Devlin played would be important for the endgame of the series, that they would play their role in the war that was to come.

Darkest Mercy was perhaps my favorite book of the series. Marr brought the books to a close beautifully, finding solutions for problems that have plagued the characters from the very first book. Aislinn really comes into her own in this installment, finally shedding her doubts about her ability to reign as Summer Queen. It’s been great to see her character development over the course of the series; she’s one character I’ll be sad to leave now that the books are finished. It was one of the most satisfying conclusions to a series I think I’ve ever read, and Marr should be commended for making it so thoughtful and well-written.

If you’re interested in a fantastical series that’s easy to read, but contains compelling characters and great worldbuilding, the Wicked Lovely series is one you should check out. Though the characters are teenagers, they act older than their years and don’t have the normal teenage angst issue that can make YA frustrating for adult readers. This series is an example of great, consistent urban fantasy, and I highly recommend it from beginning to end.

Other books by Melissa Marr:

Graveminder
Fragile Eternity
Ink Exchange
Wicked Lovely

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Title: Beneath the Shadows
Author: Sara Foster
ISBN: 9780312643362
Pages: 320
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

One year ago, Grace and her husband Adam traveled with their baby to a cottage that Adam had inherited in North Yorkshire. But then, the unthinkable happened. Adam disappeared, and there were never any hints about what happened to him. Now, Grace is back in the cottage to pack it up and get it ready to sell. But she can’t help the difficult memories the place provokes, and the sense that there are things she doesn’t know about the people around her makes her question if they know something they aren’t telling her.

Review:

Beneath the Shadows is a mix of a mystery and a character driven novel as Grace tries to uncover what exactly happened to Adam, as well as what secrets he might have been harboring before he died. It’s an intriguing premise, to be sure, and it creates a mystery that surrounds the entire book. There are quite a few interesting characters that populate this novel. They can be difficult to keep track of, especially as the book progresses and family politics rears its ugly head, but Foster does her best to give each of them their own personality.

With the bleak, lonely setting, it’s easy to imagine that Beneath the Shadows would be filled to the brim with atmosphere. While Foster does a great job with the descriptions, and the book has its haunting moments, it unfortunately does not have that oppressive feeling that I was searching for. It could have been incredibly spooky and spine chilling, but that aspect of it just didn’t pan out. It’s been described by multiple critics and readers as a “gothic”, but without that heavy sense of atmosphere, I would hesitate to agree.

The mystery in Beneath the Shadows is certainly interesting. The question of what happened to Adam is one that will keep the reader hooked from beginning to end. As Grace becomes drawn into the strange dynamics of a local family, one that knew Adam well, she begins to question how well she really knew her husband. However, this book is just as much of a personal journey as a mystery. Grace must comes to terms with Adam’s disappearance and begin the healing process, something she has been unable to do up to now. It’s nice to see this personal touch weaving through the mystery storyline.

If you’re in the mood for a contemplative mystery, one that focuses just as much (if not more) on the characters as it does on the storyline, Beneath the Shadows is a book to consider. Mystery readers may feel like the book moves too slowly, but if you’re in the mood for a more complex, thoughtful story (albeit with a disappointing lack of atmosphere), this is a good book to pick up.

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Title: The Language of Sisters
Author: Amy Hatvany
ISBN: 9781451688139
Pages: 320
Release Date: July 31, 2012
Publisher: Washington Square Press
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Ten years ago, Nicole Hunter fled home and never looked back. The only thing she regrets about her decision? Abandoning her sister, Jenny. Jenny had special needs, and for a long time, Nicole and her mother dedicated themselves to her care. But eventually, Nicole’s father won out, and Jenny was placed in a home, which Nicole vehemently disagreed with. After that decision, Nicole was unable to face her family any longer and left. But now, Nicole receives the disturbing news that Jenny was raped by a male caretaker in the home, and she is pregnant. Nicole drops everything and returns home to face what she left behind.

Review:

I’m normally wary of reissued books, but I’ve enjoyed Amy Hatvany’s two previous novels so much that I leapt at the chance to read this one. Once again, Amy writes from a personal place; Jenny’s special needs are based on her sister’s, and though the situation in the novel is complete fiction, it’s interesting to see how growing up with a special needs sister gave Amy a completely unique perspective on Jenny. She’s able to write about Jenny’s beauty and grace while simultaneously conveying how difficult Jenny’s condition is on those who live with her. It’s a delicate balance, a fine line to walk, and Hatvany does it very well.

From the beginning, it’s clear that this is an earlier effort from Amy’s career. The writing is a little less seasoned, the characters a bit less well developed. That’s not to say at all that it’s not worth reading, because it absolutely is. Where The Language of Sisters really excels is at depicting the bond between sisters. Nicole has a fierce love for Jenny, and her inability to protect Jenny from the world torments her in some ways. Part of the reason she ran from her past is because she couldn’t bear the guilt any longer. It’s wonderful to see Nicole come to a place where she realizes that she doesn’t have to shoulder that burden; all she needs to do is be a loving sister.

Hatvany also does an incredible job showing how difficult it can be to live with and care for a person with special needs. In The Language of Sisters, there’s no name for what’s wrong with Jenny. They don’t know what exactly the issue is, but it’s crystal clear there are multiple. It’s great to live with that ideal, that the family should be able to care for Jenny at home, as Nicole believes. But she doesn’t realize the toll it took on her mother, how she lost herself in caring for her daughter. It’s not until Nicole takes on the responsibility for herself that she truly comes to understand. It’s a difficult situation all around, and Hatvany portrays it honestly, but with dignity and grace.

The Language of Sisters is a novel that will resonate with readers on multiple levels. If you have a special needs member of your family, this is an absolute must-read. If you enjoy thought-provoking women’s fiction, especially with your book club, The Language of Sisters will have you thinking long into the night and itching to discuss the characters and their motivations. While it is a bit predictable, in the end, this book is not about the ending, but the difficult realizations on the journey to get there.

Other books by Amy Hatvany:

Best Kept Secret
Outside the Lines

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Title: Luther: The Calling
Author: Neil Cross
ISBN: 9781451673098
Pages: 336
Release Date: September 4, 2012
Publisher: Touchstone
Genre: Crime Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Detective Chief Inspector John Luther is a man that is respected by his peers. He has an amazing ability to get to the bottom of a murder, to solve cases that others deem impossible, but it comes at a cost. Luther is tormented and obsessed; he is unable to let go of the cases he’s working on, to the detriment of his personal life. His wife is one step away from leaving him. With a new case looming, one that features a serial killer, Luther is about to go over the edge and take his career with him.

Review:

Luther is actually a hit BBC series featuring Idris Elba as the title character and Luther: The Calling is the first book in a series of prequels written by Neil Cross, the series’ creator and head writer. They’re supposed to flesh out his backstory and help fans of the show understand how the tormented detective turned out the way he did. While I’ve never seen the show, it’s something I’ve been curious about. I’m always interested in crime novels with strong main characters, so I was eager to give this book a try.

Luther is indeed an obsessive main character in Luther: The Calling. It’s easy to see why he is so good at what he does; he allows his cases to become personal, to let them get under his skin. While that gives him a unique perspective, it also means that each of these cases chips away at his sanity. He becomes consumed by what he’s working on; it’s easy to understand his wife’s frustrations. It’s actually sad to see the relationship between Luther and his wife, because it’s clear that they love each other so much. It’s just that, with Luther’s inability to pull back from his job even the tiniest bit, they are lost to one another.

The character development in Luther: The Calling is interesting. It’s clear that Cross is working from an already-developed character. The reader gets insight into Luther through subtle clues, rather than overt development. Though it’s easy to get a sense of him, he remains a mystery. Part of this was likely deliberate, as it’s always good to keep the reader thinking there’s deeper to dig, but I do wonder how much of this was connected to the fact that the character has already been developed on TV. It’s not a bad thing at all, but it's something that did stick out.

The mystery in Luther: The Calling is well-written and engaging. Whether you’re interested in the show or not, this is an exciting bit of crime fiction that fans of the genre should check out. If you’re interested in the show, as I was, this serves as a great introduction to the characters and situations. After reading this novel, you can be sure I’ll be checking out the BBC show Luther very soon.

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This is a long weekend for those of us in the US, and one during which I was hoping to get a lot done. We didn’t have many plans for the weekend, just some vague things we needed to get done (mostly yesterday). Saturday, I had a really glorious day. I read a bit, caught up on some TV, and even finally watched The Hunger Games (which I really enjoyed). Yesterday was not so great. We had some things to do in the morning and early afternoon, but I hoped we could get back at a decent hour so I could get some blog work done. But it was not to be -- yesterday was one of those frustrating days where unexpected things kept popping up and I had absolutely no time to tackle what I had actually wanted to do.

It’s so rare that anyone gets some time to catch up, so I was very frustrated by the way yesterday went, especially considering how behind I am on my blog. Today, we have some plans, and I have to work a bit, but I’m hoping I can squeeze in some time to write reviews. I don’t have a ton of books read (I’m still behind on that front as well), but I have enough to get me through the week if I can find time to actually write them!

So, enough complaining. You may have noticed that I had a review missing last week; that wasn’t a mistake. I’ve decided that, instead of taking a review hiatus to catch up like I did last time (which wasn’t all that useful, to be honest), I’m going to just try to catch up as best I can. If that means I don’t have a review to post, so be it. I pressure myself to post every single day, and while it’s great if I have something to put up, there’s no reason to force myself to stick to a schedule that I’m struggling so hard with.

And now it’s time to do some blog work! I’m hoping to update my review database and write a few reviews today. I also need to do my end-of-month tasks (how long has it been since I’ve written a monthly review? Yeesh!), so we’ll see what I can get done after I get my work done and before we have to head out. Happy Labor Day, all!

Title: A Tiger in the Kitchen: A Memoir of Food and Family
Author: Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan
ISBN: 9781401341282
Pages: 304
Release Date: February 8, 2011
Publisher: Voice
Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction, Cultural
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Cheryl Tan grew up in Singapore, but gladly left it behind for the dazzling world of New York fashion. But in her thirties, she began to reminisce about her life in Singapore: the family, the culture, but most of all, the food. Determined to learn how to make the foods that have been her favorite since childhood, Cheryl travels back to Singapore and in the process learns a lot about herself and her family.

Review:

A Tiger in the Kitchen is a thoughtful memoir about the memories tied to food. Cheryl Tan grew up surrounded by her extended family in Singapore, but her strongest memories are those associated with food. It’s understandable that she’d want to learn how to make these dishes; not only do they sound delicious, but they provide her a sense of comfort that other types of food can’t. The food descriptions are absolutely delectable. Even if you know nothing about Singaporean cuisine, foodies are in for a treat with this book.

Tan has a very casual writing style in A Tiger in the Kitchen. Her tone is warm and inviting, but also gives the reader the sense that the author is confiding in them. It makes for an engaging, fun read. Her stories about her family are interesting, and her self-deprecating sense of humor provides a few chuckles through the read. It’s wonderful to see how Tan uses food to reconnect with her past and her extended family members, and it’s a testament to her Singaporean family that so many are willing to help her in her quest.

This memoir isn’t confined to Tan’s adventures in Singapore, though. She also describes her cooking at home in New York. She devotes a few chapters to a bread baking challenge that she undertook, trying out recipes for different types of bread. While interesting on their own, these anecdotes don’t really fit in with the character of the rest of the book. It almost feels as if the book wasn’t long enough, so Tan inserted other cooking stories just to fill it out a bit.

Still, A Tiger in the Kitchen is interesting and fun to read. It includes a few recipes, so if you haven’t had Singaporean cuisine, you can try your hand at it. The real delight of this memoir is Tan’s exploration of her heritage and family through the recipes that have been passed down. If you’re looking for a food memoir about a cuisine that isn’t as mainstream, this is a great book to pick up.

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