Title: Me Before You
Author: Jojo Moyes
ISBN: 9780670026609
Pages: 384
Release Date: December 31, 2012
Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:

When the café where Louisa Clark works announces it’s going to close, she’s bereft. After all, she knows her parents depend on her paycheck to help out at home and she has no idea what she’s going to do next. An opportunity falls into her lap, though, with Will Traynor. Will was an attractive risk seeker who was taken down by the most mundane of things: a car. Now, he’s paralyzed and his mother believes that he needs someone to keep him company and lift his spirits. At first, Louisa is bewildered by Will’s bad attitude, but as she gets to know him, she comes to see him for who he is, beyond the wheelchair.

Review:

Me Before You is a difficult book to describe, and an even harder one to review, simply because it is just that good. It seems like the simplest of storylines: young girl is hired to care for guy in wheelchair. But this book is so much more than that. It has heart and soul and wit; it’s a novel that will have you laughing with joy, but also sobbing with everything you have in you. Moyes manages to make the reader incredibly emotionally involved with both the characters and the story without manipulating them. As a result, this is an honest, down to earth read that floored me.

Moyes has created realistic and sympathetic characters in Me Before You. Louisa is charming and wonderful. She’s not perfect, mind you, but she’s oh-so-easy to fall in love with. Will is more difficult at the beginning; he’s prickly, and it’s clear he (for good reason) resents his circumstances. It’s wonderful to see Louisa have an effect on him, but also to see how Will changes Louisa. It’s a unique relationship that really does come about organically.

There are definitely aspects of the storyline of Me Before You that are predictable. But there are also surprises around every corner, both large and small. It’s the type of novel that’s full of small delights, little things that you don’t expect that are just so much fun. But it’s also a difficult novel to read at times. Will’s disability is gut-wrenchingly difficult. There’s a darker side to this book, to be sure. It has all the messiness of real life, and whether you like it or not, things aren’t always easy and tidy.

One of the many things that Me Before You does extremely well is show just how difficult it is for a person in a wheelchair. Just going out to lunch is a huge ordeal for Will; it’s understandable why he’d just rather stay at home. Every time he goes out, he’s reminded of his accident, of what he’s lost, because it’s so hard for him to accomplish anything and he’s so dependent on others. It’s so dejecting and sad, and Moyes portrays the psychological side effects of this vividly.

Me Before You is, quite simply, one of the best books I’ve ever read. It has so much depth and wisdom within its pages. Read it for book club, read it on a plane, read it on a dark and stormy night or by the pool — you can read it anywhere, but make sure you read it.

Other books by Jojo Moyes:

The Last Letter from Your Lover

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Title: Invisible
Author: Carla Buckley
ISBN: 9780440246053
Pages: 400
Release Date: December 11, 2012
Publisher: Bantam
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Sixteen years ago, Dana Carlson left her hometown of Black Bear, Minnesota behind without a second glance. Now, Dana receives a call from Peyton, the teenage daughter of Dana’s estranged sister, Julie. Julie is dying of kidney disease, and Dana may be the only one who can save her. Dana drops everything in the midst of a work crisis and races back to her hometown, only to discover she’s too late. But when Dana starts digging into Julie’s last days, she discovers her sister was looking into the incidence of kidney disease in the town, and Dana vows to follow her trail, wherever it may lead.

Review:

Invisible by Carla Buckley is one of those novels that has so many different facets: well-developed characters, difficult relationships, and a mystery that frames and carries the novel. Dana’s at the center of this maelstrom of events, and at the beginning, she’s difficult to understand. She seems removed and remote, cold towards her teenage niece who she’s never met. But as the novel progresses and the reader gets to know Dana, both in the present day and through flashbacks, they come to sympathize with and understand her. She’s a flawed but realistic character that readers will enjoy getting to know.

The relationship between Dana and Peyton is a difficult one. Peyton has never met her aunt, so it’s understandable why she feels abandoned and alone. Dana tries to make amends, to reach out to her niece, but in Peyton’s eyes, it’s too little too late. It’s interesting to see the dynamic between these two, especially because Buckley allows the reader to see it from both points of view. Adding Peyton as a narrator increases the complexity of the novel; it would be too easy to write her off as a bratty teenager. Instead, Buckley gets the reader into Peyton’s head as well, so they can feel her raw, ragged emotions after the death of her mother.

The mystery behind the incidence of kidney disease in Black Bear is well written in Invisible. Is there a common factor that’s causing it? This is the question from the very beginning. Occurrences certainly seem to be high, but it’s perfectly possible it’s just coincidence. As Dana explores this, she gets in over her head. Indeed, she stops thinking of consequences as she proceeds down her warpath. This would make a great book club pick, as readers will want to dissect Dana’s motives and discuss whether she’s making the right decisions.

In the end, Invisible is an easy read, though it’s a thought-provoking one. It’s a novel where there are no simple answers or tidy solutions; instead, it has all the messiness of real life. There are aspects of the novel that are predictable, yet the storyline is still interesting. If you’re looking for a complex novel that delivers an enjoyable experience, this is a good bet.

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Title: Quinoa Revolution: Over 150 Healthy, Great-Tasting Recipes Under 500 Calories
Author: Patricia Green & Carolyn Hemming
ISBN: 9780143186410
Pages: 256
Release Date: December 31, 2012
Publisher: Pintail
Genre: Cookbook
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review:

The first time I served quinoa at the dinner table, my husband was suspicious. “What is this?? It’s not pasta, but it’s not not rice,” he asked. But he quickly got over his hesitancy after taking the first bite. Now we’re big fans of quinoa in our house. It’s a great, lighter alternative to pasta, rice, and other grains (because it’s not a grain—it’s actually a seed), but it’s incredibly nutritious. It’s considered a superfood (whatever that means), which means if you aren’t serving it in your house, you should at least consider it. Quinoa Revolution is a great way to make that happen.

Quinoa Revolution starts out discussing quinoa. What is it, why is it awesome, and what are the benefits? It’s a great primer for those who aren’t familiar with the seed (pronounced Keen-WAH, if you’re curious). Then it moves on to how to use quinoa. Again, great for those not familiar with it, but since I’ve cooked with quinoa quite a bit before, I skimmed these sections because I wanted to get to the recipes.

The presentation of Quinoa Revolution is very nice. It’s a softcover book with jacket flaps. There aren’t pictures to accompany every recipe, but the ones that are there are gorgeous and enticing. The pages are clean and bright; this is a cookbook that’s a real pleasure to thumb through.

The book is divided into five recipe sections: breakfast, salads/sides/snacks, soups/stews, meals, and dessert. The recipe choices are varied and versatile; it really does live up to the name “revolution” because you wouldn’t think of putting quinoa in some of these dishes: Baked Roasted Red Pepper Dip, Quinoa Mushroom Omelet, Lemongrass, Sweet Potato, and Coconut Stew, and Chicken Masala, just to name a few. Even if you have a picky eater at your table, you’ll probably find something to satisfy them in this book.

But the thing that really struck me about Quinoa Revolution? The authors aren’t afraid of meat! We don’t eat a lot of meat in our house, so it would be okay if it were a vegetarian cookbook, but too often veggie cookbooks don’t appeal across eating spectrums. If you’re buying a cookbook where quinoa is supposed to substitute for meat, you’re probably not going to be able to entice a meat-eater to try these recipes. This cookbook is aimed at those who want to introduce quinoa into their diets, but aren’t trying to completely replace meat. (But yes, it has plenty of vegetarian recipes as well, which I love.)

The recipes in Quinoa Revolution are simple and don’t use complicated ingredients. The results? Delicious. I made Kung Pao Chicken Quinoa, and I was pleased at how quickly the dish came together, as well as the lightness of using quinoa instead of rice. It’s safe to say that I’ll be referring to this cookbook regularly and it’s going to go into the regular cookbook rotation in my kitchen.

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Title: The Trial of Fallen Angels
Author: James Kimmel, Jr.
ISBN: 9780399159695
Pages: 384
Release Date: November 8, 2012
Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Brek Cuttler loves her life, so she’s shocked when she wakes up on a train platform, covered in blood, and is informed that she’s dead. Brek has no idea how she died, nor what happened to her young daughter, so she’s frantic to return to the world of the living. But as she comes to terms with her death and the afterlife, Brek must also look back through her own life and discover what happened to her and why.

Review:

I’m normally wary of any book that deals with spiritual and religious issues, simply because many of them seem to be written with an agenda. They tend to be preachy, and while I understand why they appeal to so many, they aren’t usually for me. I hesitated before picking up The Trial of Fallen Angels, but at the end of the day, I knew it was from an editor that I trusted, so I decided to give it a chance. And I’m glad I did.

The Trial of Fallen Angels doesn’t have an agenda or religious direction; in fact, it’s quite vague when it comes to specific religion. There are references, yes, and overall it has a Christian feeling, but there’s absolutely no preachiness here. This is by no means Christian fiction, as I’d feared. However, it does have a powerful message about the value of both love and forgiveness, as well as the place of justice in the world. If you like your reads to have some meaning, this is a great one to pick up.

Kimmel does a great job balancing the different flashbacks and stories within The Trial of Fallen Angels with Brek’s story. While not clear at the beginning, every story in the book is connected, and it’s up to Brek to figure out how. This creates a great mystery and sense of urgency to the novel. How did Brek die? Why does the afterlife function the way it does? It’s great to be along for the ride for this novel, even when the revelations are difficult and heartbreaking.

In the end, The Trial of Fallen Angels is a sad book, but one that’s worth reading. You know it can’t end completely happily; Brek is dead, and nothing will reunite her with her husband or daughter. But if you’re prepared for this going in, you’ll find that Kimmel has crafted a thriller-esque novel with both depth and emotion.

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Title: Say You’re Sorry
Author: Michael Robotham
ISBN: 9780316221245
Pages: 448
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Genre: Crime Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Two people murdered brutally in a house during a horrible snowstorm. A body found in a frozen pond a few miles away. At first glance, these two crimes are unrelated, but clinical psychologist Joe O’Loughlin realizes that there may be more to them than meets the eye. Along with his friend, former cop Vincent Ruiz, O’Loughlin connects these murders to the unsolved kidnapping of two teenage girls three years prior.

Review:

Michael Robotham is one of my new favorite crime fiction authors. His main character, Joe O’Loughlin is smart and savvy, yet realistically flawed. He tries to be a good father, yet his work is always threatening to take over. What’s more, O’Loughlin has Parkinson’s disease, and while it’s in the early stages, this detail adds a unique facet to this intriguing character. Robotham has crafted his main character exquisitely, and in Say You’re Sorry, he finds new ways to develop O’Loughlin and add more depth to him.

The mystery in Say You’re Sorry is certainly intriguing. Robotham develops the story well, advancing the plot at a steady, brisk pace. The author takes the reader on twists and turns; some plot devices might be evident, but others are very surprising. It makes for a fast, engaging read, and despite its 400+ page length, this is a novel that readers will want to plow through in one sitting.

Robotham also takes the reader inside the mind of Piper Hadley, one of the two abducted teenagers, in Say You’re Sorry. The voices of the two narrators, Joe and Piper, are so incredibly different that it’s difficult to believe that they were written by the same person. Piper really does come across as a scared, nervous young woman who doesn’t know if she’ll ever find safety or security. It’s chilling, yet effective, to get into her head and come to know her. It invests the reader in the story that much more, as they hope she’ll find rescue.

If you’re looking for a great new series to pick up, this is definitely a good choice. But if you’d rather have a standalone novel? Say You’re Sorry works perfectly well. This is only the second novel in the series that I’ve read, and I had no trouble following plot lines, nor did I feel I was missing out on character background. No matter what you’re searching for, Say You’re Sorry is sure to fill that crime-fiction shaped hole in your reading habits.

Other books by Michael Robotham:

Bleed for Me

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Title: The Snow Child
Author: Eowyn Ivey
ISBN: 9780316175678
Pages: 400
Release Date: February 1, 2012
Publisher: Reagan Arthur Books
Genre: Literary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

The year is 1920, and Jack and Mabel are trying their best to homestead in Alaska. Mabel craved solitude after facing her inability to have children, and now they’re enduring backbreaking conditions trying to eke out a living in the new territory. In an uncharacteristic fit of whimsy, Jack and Mabel build a child out of snow behind their house. The very next day, a young girl appears out of nowhere and seems to be the answer to Mabel’s dearest wishes.

Review:

The Snow Child takes a Russian fairy tale and turns it on its head. There’s an old legend about a snow child, one that Mabel is very familiar with. When this young girl, the answer to all her prayers, simply appears out of the snow, Mabel believes that it’s the fairy tale come to life. It’s interesting to see how she and Jack each deal with the unlikely appearance of the girl, named Faina, especially as her comings and goings stretch over the course of years.

Ivey does an excellent job depicting the brutal Alaskan landscape in The Snow Child. Her descriptions are vivid and readers will be able to close their eyes and see the world through Jack’s and Mabel’s eyes. They’re older than most other couples who seek to homestead, which makes their situation all the more difficult and desperate. It’s an incredible setting for a novel, made even moreso by Ivey’s beautiful, evocative writing.

The characters in The Snow Child are similarly well-written. Mabel is a cold, hard woman at the beginning of the novel. She’s experienced much loss and heartbreak, and it’s made her unwilling to let anyone else in. It’s wonderful, but also sad, to see how Faina transforms her, how Mabel opens her heart to this flighty, mysterious child, knowing Faina could disappear at any second. Whether it’s a major character or someone that barely plays a role in the story, it’s clear that Ivey took her time developing each and every person in this book.

This is a beautifully told story full of heartbreak, but also wonder. Readers will race through the novel as they try to find the answers behind Faina’s appearances, holding out hope that Jack and Mabel won’t be hurt once again. It’s an incredible novel that’s difficult to describe, but suffice it to say that it is absolutely worth reading. Ivey’s debut is a haunting novel that will grab hold of your heart and refuse to let go.

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Title: Level 2
Author: Lenore Appelhans
ISBN: 9781442441859
Pages: 288
Release Date: January 15, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Genre: Teen/YA, Science Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Felicia Ward died when she was just seventeen years old, and she’s been stuck in a sort of limbo ever since. They call it Level 2, a place where she can access her memories and relive her past experiences, but there doesn’t seem to be anything more to the afterlife. That is, until Felicia sees Julian, someone she knew very well before she died, and what he has to tell her changes everything she thought she knew.

Review:

Before I get to my review of Level 2, I want to talk a little bit about the author, Lenore Appelhans. If you’re a blogger or familiar with the blogging world, you may know her from her blog Presenting Lenore. I’m happy to be able to call Lenore a friend, and I was thrilled when our blogging friend turned into a successful author. What made me even more excited? Finding out Lenore had written this line into the book when discussing written reviews of memories, “She’s no S.K. Love, the top source for quantity and quality.” Now, you may wonder what that means. It’s an in-joke for all my readers and friends out there. After all, you do know someone with the initials S.K. who has a LOT of reviews (and hopefully, they’re of good quality!)…that’s right, I’m in Level 2! It’s definitely one of the most exciting things to happen to me.

Now, onto talking about Level 2. Felicia’s a great main character. She’s smart and curious, though it’s clear from the beginning that there’s something off about her, something the reader doesn’t quite know. As the story unfolds, the reader learns about the traumas of Felicia’s past, and while they’re painful, they’ve made her an incredibly fierce and loyal person who stands by those she cares about. As a result, she makes a great main character for this novel.

Sometimes, with fantasy/paranormal/dystopian novels, a common complaint is that there’s too much description, too little action. The author gets too caught up in the world they’re creating, and doesn’t spend enough time on plot. That’s not a problem at all with Level 2; the reader is plunged into the action from the very first page. The story moves briskly, so that the reader doesn’t have time to become bored or complacent. The ending is explosive, and in some ways, it felt a little too fast. Rest assured, if you’re looking for action, you’ll find it here.

The world that Lenore builds in Level 2 is also intriguing. There are enough puzzles to keep the reader interested, to make them want to turn the page to find out the next secret, but not so much that they become frustrated or overwhelmed by the lack of information. Lenore achieves a delicate balance in Level 2: a mix among action, character development, and world/story building that’s difficult to achieve. It certainly kept my attention and has me anxious for the next installment.

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Title: Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore
Author: Robin Sloan
ISBN: 9780374214913
Pages: 304
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

It starts with a bookstore. A small, packed-to-the-brim bookstore that Clay scores a job at after he loses his tech job. Clay works the night shift and he notices one odd thing: The bookstore has few customers, but the ones it does get are repeat customers who check out bizarre books from the collection, rather than buying anything. Intrigued by his new job and the puzzle it presents, Clay begins to dig into the bookstore’s history and is presented with an entirely new world he didn’t know existed.

Review:

Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore is a novel that’s difficult to describe (and it’s best to know as little as possible about it before picking it up), but is an incredibly rewarding read. It’s so many things wrapped up into one neat, fast-moving package. First of all, it’s a love letter to the written word. Whether you love the smell of old, musty books and adore towering shelves, or you value the ability to keep an entire library on a slim ereader (or both, like so many of us), this is a book for you. What’s great about it is that Sloan clearly values the past as much as technology and gives both equal treatment in his book.

The novel also present a sort of treasure hunt, complete with secret societies. In this respect, Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore is very exciting. It’s wonderful to theorize about where the story is going or what twist will present itself next. It’s definitely difficult to predict, and it’s just such a fun experience to read it. It’s also interesting to see the juxtaposition of a centuries-old treasure hunt against modern day technology and to see how the past and present can, in fact, work together seamlessly.

The characters are well-drawn, and while character development is not the central point of Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, the reader gets to know Clay and his friends reasonably well. Clay’s a naturally curious person, which makes him the perfect hero for this novel.

This is a short novel, a slim volume, and it goes quickly. The plot draws the reader in well, and the book moves at a fast pace. The plot could easily fit into a larger, more descriptive and embellished novel, but it’s nice that Sloan chose to make it short and sweet. When you’re reading Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, you’ll begin reading a bit slower, savoring each word more and more, as you turn the pages because you realize that the end will just come too quickly.

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Title: The Drowning House
Author: Elizabeth Black
ISBN: 9780385535861
Pages: 288
Release Date: January 15, 2013
Publisher: Nan A. Talese
Genre: Literary Fiction, Literary Mystery
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

Clare Porterfield left Galveston Island as a teenager after a devastating accident and hasn’t been back since. But now, she’s returned to the place she once called home to work on a photography archive. While she has mixed feelings about returning to the island, a personal tragedy and the slow death of her marriage have convinced her that it’s the right time to face her demons. As she becomes swept away in the past, Clare becomes consumed with discovering what truly happened to Stella Carraday, a woman who was supposed to have died during the hurricane of 1900.

Review:

The Drowning House is a novel absolutely oozing with atmosphere. Black captures Galveston Island, both past and present, amazingly well in this novel. The reader doesn’t just read about the island; it’s palpable, easy to feel and smell and taste. Through Black’s vivid descriptions, the reader begins to understand the nature of the island. The past and present are inexorably intertwined; one cannot understand Galveston Island’s current dynamics without having a thorough understanding of what came before.

Likewise, the people of the island are very well drawn in The Drowning House. They are a close, insular community, suspicious of outsiders. Whether you’re a tourist or a new resident, the islanders will neither like nor trust you. There’s an air of suspicion that permeates the entire novel, and it’s this uncertainty that Clare returns to at the beginning of the book.

While the overall people of the island are well-drawn, singular persons in The Drowning House are a little more difficult. Specifically, while the atmosphere and descriptions are amazing, the character development leaves something to be desired. Clare never fully endears herself to the reader; she keeps them at arm’s length, and it’s difficult to understand her personality and motivations. At times she seems selfish; as a result, seeing Clare come to a place of understanding and peace isn’t a driving force for the reader to continue with the book.

The mystery, however, is better written and interesting. It’s vague at times, much like the rest of The Drowning House, and builds slowly. As the book progresses, though, the mystery of what happened to Stella becomes more urgent. The twist and revelations at the end are satisfying and rewarding, but it’s not quite enough to make up for the weak character development. Overall, The Drowning House is a great choice if you’re looking for a beautiful, atmospheric read. Despite my issues with it, I’m looking forward to Elizabeth Black’s next novel.

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Title: After the Rain
Author: Karen White
ISBN: 9780451239686
Pages: 384
Release Date: December 31, 2012
Publisher: NAL
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

When Suzanne Paris gets off the bus in Walton, Georgia, she doesn’t intend to stay for long. After all, she doesn’t want to stay in one place long enough for her past to catch up with her. What’s more, she doesn’t think a small town like Walton could hold her interest for very long. That is, until she meets Joe Warner and starts to wonder if putting down roots would be the worst thing after all.

Review:

When I first started reading After the Rain, I didn’t realize it was a sequel to Karen White’s previous (re-written and re-published) novel Falling Home. After the Rain continues the story of many of the characters introduced in the previous novel. If you choose to treat this book as a standalone, you will miss out on some character development and backstory, but you will have little difficulty in understanding the plot or appreciating the story.

After the Rain is very much a character driven story. Suzanne has an air of mystery around her; the reader will be curious about her past. Admittedly, what she’s running from is a bit anticlimactic when the truth is finally revealed, but it serves as a good hook to draw readers into the novel. Suzanne is reluctant to create new relationships because of her past experiences, so it’s a lot of fun to watch her slowly build a friendship (and something more) with Joe Warner, a single father who still hasn’t learned to cope after his wife’s death. As always, White does an incredible job building her characters and creating a great atmosphere around them.

My favorite aspect of Karen White’s novels is usually the mystery surrounding the novel, but After the Rain is about simpler pleasures. It’s about life and love, and reads more as a simple, sweet romance. It’s a great book to curl up with, and one that will leave you feeling a little bit better about the world and the people in it.

Other books by Karen White:

The Beach Trees
The Color of Light
Falling Home
The Girl on Legare Street
The House on Tradd Street
The Strangers on Montagu Street
Learning to Breathe
The Lost Hours
The Memory of Water
On Folly Beach
Pieces of the Heart
Sea Change

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Title: The Girl Below
Author: Bianca Zander
ISBN: 9780062108166
Pages: 352
Release Date: June 19, 2012
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

Suki Piper has returned to London after living for the last ten years in New Zealand. She left the UK after her mother’s death, and it’s only now that she’s able to return and face the painful past. Unsure of where to go or what to do, Suki makes contact with a woman named Peggy, who still lives in the building Suki and her parents did when she was young. As she remembers the past, Suki begins to question what really happened one night when her parents threw a garden party that would change everything.

Review:

What happens when a book is well-written but you have absolutely no sympathy for the main character? That’s the dilemma that The Girl Below presents. Zander writes a twisted, complicated novel in which the lines between the real world and the paranormal are blurred. As the novel progresses, things jump back and forth and it’s difficult to tell what’s real and what’s imagined. It’s well done and an interesting way to approach a novel, especially considering it’s not what most readers would expect when picking up this book.

That being said, Suki makes The Girl Below quite the difficult read, and I’m not sure that isn’t deliberate on Zander’s part. It seems as though she intentionally wrote a difficult, miserable character, though it’s difficult to discern why that’s the case. Suki is, at best, an unrepentant mooch who has no desire to improve her life, and instead merely complains and waits for others to fix things she is responsible for. She’s paralyzed by her past, by what has come before, but it’s difficult to excuse her for that.

But all of this makes Suki a deliciously unreliable narrator. You can’t bring yourself to trust her; her choices range from tasteless to appalling, though she tries to present herself in the best light possible. While it’s fun to question her, to wonder whether she’s telling you the truth and how reliable her memory is, it’s just very difficult to read about her.

And, to be honest, many readers will be disappointed by the vague ending. The Girl Below is not a book that ties things up with a neat little bow. It leaves some questions unanswered and at times it’s difficult to understand. It’s interesting, to be sure, but hard to follow. All in all, it’s not easy to write a review of this book because it’s so all over the place. It’s an interesting literary experiment and Zander did a great job with it, but the main character just makes it difficult to read.

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Title: Jack 1939
Author: Francine Mathews
ISBN: 9781594487194
Pages: 368
Release Date: July 5, 2012
Publisher: Riverhead
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

The year is 1939 and John F. Kennedy, future president of the United States, is just twenty-two years old. He’s determined to overcome his physician’s health concerns and make a planned trip around Europe for the summer and is shocked when he’s approached by none other than the current president of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. FDR believes that war is coming and wants an insider’s picture of what’s going on in Germany. Because the US had no official spy network, FDR recruits Jack Kennedy for the job.

Review:

I’ll admit it: When I first heard about Jack 1939, I wasn’t very interested. I’ve never understood the fascination with the Kennedy family. However, I love history and the idea of a spy novel centered around a historical figure intrigued me. Then I started hearing positive early reviews of the book, so I decided to give it a chance, and I’m so glad I did. Jack 1939 is an exciting romp with a well-imagined young Jack Kennedy at its center.

Jack 1939 is based on a real trip that Kennedy took across Europe during the summer of his senior year in college. Many of the details surrounding the trip are fiction; it’s important to remember that most of the novel is a product of Mathews’ imagination. That being said, the author does an incredibly good job of melding fact and fiction, fantasy and history. The product is an exciting novel that’s thrilling to read from beginning to end.

It’s so fun to imagine a younger, more carefree Jack Kennedy, and Mathews’ portrayal of him in Jack 1939 is convincing. Less interesting is his love interest for the novel, Diana Playfair. Her motives are shrouded in mystery, which makes for an intriguing backstory, but her personality is a bit difficult. The reader never warms to her, nor do they understand Jack’s attraction to her beyond simple lust. As the romantic storyline is a main part of the book, this detracted from my enjoyment of the novel.

The conspiracy-esque storyline surrounded by historic pre-World War II events is what really makes Jack 1939 worth reading. It’s riveting to read about Jack Kennedy navigating these difficult waters and making discoveries he doesn’t want to, and readers will enjoy trying to puzzle out how the novel will come together in the end. All in all, it’s a quick, exciting read that readers should definitely consider.

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Title: The One I Left Behind
Author: Jennifer McMahon
ISBN: 9780062122551
Pages: 432
Release Date: January 2, 2013
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Mystery
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Reggie has left her hometown behind. After all, the horrors of her past aren’t something she wants to face on her daily basis. Now she’s a successful architect, but she’s still unable to let anyone get close. Then, one day, the past she’s tried so hard to run from comes calling: Reggie’s mother, the last victim of the serial killer called Neptune, the only one whose body was never discovered, is found alive. Now Reggie must return home to care for her dying mother and confront all the ugliness of the past.

Review:

Jennifer McMahon’s The One I Left Behind is so many different things in one well-written and engaging package. First, it’s the story of a broken woman named Reggie who is defined by her childhood. In some ways, her life stopped when she was thirteen years old, that summer her mother disappeared. Though Reggie claims to have gotten past everything, the fact that she can barely face the aunt who raised her, the fact that she lies about her past demonstrates that Reggie hasn’t been able to come to terms with her mother’s presumed death. Now that she’s resurfaced, it brings all those difficult, painful memories back in a heady rush.

McMahon does an excellent job balancing the two time periods in The One I Left Behind: Reggie’s present, where she cares for her mother and tries to discover Neptune’s identity, and her past, which unfolds slowly before the reader. Despite the fact that the reader knows for the most part how the story with Reggie’s younger self will end, McMahon still manages to keep the suspense level high. It’s a difficult thing to do, and something that McMahon does very well. As a result, readers will find both storylines in this novel equally gripping.

The search for Neptune is actually a secondary story in The One I Left Behind. This may disappoint fans of McMahon’s looking for a mystery, but they shouldn’t give up on this book. The elements are there, and it’s certainly quite the hunt to discover the serial killer’s true identity; it just so happens that the central point of the story is character-building. The twists and turns are interesting, and while some are predictable, others are quite shocking.

If you’re looking for a well-told and gripping mystery with very well developed characters, you should definitely check out The One I Left Behind. It has good pacing and readers won’t want to put this one down as they try to discover Neptune’s identity. This is a novel that’s sure to please McMahon’s fans, as well as readers new to this author.

Other books by Jennifer McMahon

Dismantled
Don’t Breathe a Word
Promise Not to Tell

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Title: Midwinter Blood
Author: Mons Kallentoft
ISBN: 9781451642476
Pages: 464
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Publisher: Atria / Emily Bestler Books
Genre: Crime Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Malin Fors is a talented superintendent on the police force of a small Swedish town. It’s been one of the coldest winters anyone can remember, and one February morning, the body of an obese man is found hanging from a tree. When it’s ruled that he was murdered, Malin Fors is put in charge of the case.

Review:

Midwinter Blood is a Scandinavian crime fiction novel that presents itself as a police procedural. Like many other books in this genre, the main character is a complex, damaged person who finds both therapy and demons in their work. Malin is certainly an interesting character. She is drowning under the pressure of balancing her job and single motherhood, as well as navigating the difficult relationships with her ex-husband and parents. She finds too much solace at the bottom of a bottle, but she’s also very determined and good at her job. Malin presents a new puzzle in Scandinavian crime fiction, one that readers will be itching to solve.

One way Midwinter Blood distinguishes itself from other novels in this genre and from this region is through the writing and storytelling. Though Malin is the primary narrator of this novel, it’s told from multiple points of view, including that of the victim. This can be confusing at times, but it also adds interesting insight into the story. Additionally, the novel is written in a literary manner; the writing is beautiful, and like the snow covering the ground, it provides a cushion to numb the senses while reading. It’s an interesting approach to take with crime fiction, for sure, as it provides a sense of vagueness while reading the novel.

The story of Midwinter Blood is interesting, but it does move slowly. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, action-packed read, this certainly isn’t it. It’s more contemplative and deeper than many of its crime fiction counterparts, and while the story is interesting, it’s all about watching the disparate threads slowly come together. Kallentoft does an excellent job weaving a gripping tale, but it takes its own time to move forward.

If you’re looking for fascinating characters and a beautifully written story, then Midwinter Blood is a good choice. It’s not the fastest of reads, but it certainly is interesting, especially in the way things come together at the end. The multiple sources of narration can be confusing at times, but overall, it’s definitely a promising start to a new crime fiction series.

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As 2012 has come to a close, it’s exciting to look ahead to 2013 and think about what I want for myself and my blog in this new year. In terms of reading, I enjoyed 2012 very much (except for the fact that I didn’t have much time to read for the last half of the year). I read a lot of crime fiction and started to read more fantasy and science fiction. I took the pressure off myself to post a review daily (though I managed to keep up with it for much of the year) and as a result, found myself exploring more 500+ page books than ever before.

I’ve loved the freedom I enjoyed in my reading in 2012 — if it wasn’t working for me, I put it down. I want to continue that in 2013. Read what I feel like, when I feel like reading it. I want to be more consistent with my blogging. Once we put an offer on our house, it seems like any time I had for blogging and reading went out the window. Now that we’re pretty well settled, I’d love to turn the focus back on my blog. I will likely never return to my previous daily reviews, but I’d like to be posting something at least four times per week. I’d also love to do a blog redesign and switch from Blogger to self-hosted, but that’s not a priority in the next few months.

I’m also letting go of challenges this year. Of course, I’ll continue with perpetual challenges (Amy Einhorn and Reagan Arthur), and I’ll still host the South Asian Challenge (sign-up post to come, I promise). I’ll also still focus on South Asian literature. But I feel as though my reading tastes have become so eclectic that there’s no real reason to participate in challenges anymore; I read a wide variety of genres, set in many different places. Most likely, I’ll miss challenges in 2013 and come back to them in 2014, but I’d like to try a challenge-free year for now.

So there it is, my goals. What are yours for 2013?

Title: The Raven Boys
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Source: Publisher
Genre: Teen/YA, Urban Fantasy
Rating: 4.5/5

The Raven Boys seems like a simple paranormal contemporary novel. It’s about a girl, Blue, whose family has supernatural psychic abilities. She sees the spirit of a boy named Gansey and knows that he will die in the coming year. Things become more complicated when Blue actually meets Gansey and becomes friends with his private school clan. It may seem pedestrian, but The Raven Boys is, quite simply, a work of art. Every word, every sentence is carefully thought out, and the plot is absolutely amazing. The characters are sympathetic, and it’s wonderful that you can’t predict their everythought; indeed, The Raven Boys is full of surprises. This is a novel that blew me away from beginning to end.

Read my full review of The Raven Boys at  The MindHut

Title: Crewel
Author: Gennifer Albin
Source: Publisher
Genre: Teen/YA, Fantasy
Rating: 4/5

Crewel is a difficult novel to describe in such a short review, but I’ll do my best. Adelice lives in a world where spinsters — women who weave and unweave the threads of reality itself — are honored above all others. However, Adelice has always been instructed to keep her weaving abilities secret. When they are discovered, she’s taken away to live with the spinsters and begins to learn the secrets of her world. It’s a unique, interesting premise, and Albin writes it well. The novel kept me interested, the twists and turns were exciting and unexpected. It’s a good choice if you’re looking for new and different in YA plotlines.

Read my full review of Crewel at The MindHut

Title: What's Left of Me
Author: Kat Zhang
Source: Publisher
Genre: Teen/YA, Fantasy
Rating: 3.5/5

In Addie’s world, every person is born with two souls. Over the course of their youth, the second soul dies away and the dominant soul takes over. But only Addie, and her sister soul Eva, know that two souls still reside in Eva’s body. It’s a dark, dangerous secret, and if it’s revealed, it could destroy everything. What’s Left of Me has a great premise, and it moves faster and more decisively than one would expect. This is good in some ways, because it means the beginning of the novel sucks the reader in, but it also means the middle of the book meanders a bit because too much happens too fast. Still, it’s an interesting read and addresses many thought-provoking issues, and the ending will leave readers clamoring for the next installment in the trilogy.

Read my full review of What’s Left of Me at The MindHut

I’m really excited to present my favorite books I read in 2012! Please keep in mind that this is from the books I read—not all of these books were published in 2012. They’re divided roughly by genre and are in no particular order.

If there is no link attached to a picture, it means that my review for this book hasn’t posted yet. Keep an eye out in the coming weeks for these reviews.

Non-Fiction

Literary Fiction

Historical Fiction

Science Fiction/Fantasy/Dystopian

Contemporary Fiction

Mystery/Psychological Thriller

Teen/YA

While it’s fun to count down the books I liked best in 2012, it’s also interesting to look at the reviews that received the most page views. Some are new, some are old, but all tell me something about my blog’s readership and what people like to see.

10) The World We Found – Thrity Umrigar

That The World We Found was one of my top reviews of 2012 isn’t a surprise — after all, I hosted a readalong and discussion on my blog. However, it’s very nice to see that my review this book (which I loved!) resonated with my readers.

9) The Dovekeepers – Alice Hoffman

The Dovekeepers was a novel that received mixed reviews. Some felt it was way too long and meandering; others absolutely loved it. I fell into this latter category; I thought it was beautifully written, with amazing characters and a rich sense of history. Seeing this review on here was a bit of a surprise because I’ve strayed away from reviewing most historical fiction, but I believe that the literary aspect is what drew readers to this one.

8) Sarah’s Key – Tatiana de RosnayI waited a long time to read and review this book, so I was surprised and thrilled when it actually lived up to the hype and my expectations. With the release of the movie and the general continuing popularity of Sarah’s Key, it makes sense that this review is on this list.

7) Catherine the Great – Robert K. Massie

My review of this Massie’s biography of Catherine the Great was pretty glowing, and for good reason. It’s an amazing read from beginning to end. I was happy to see that readers appreciate the history and biographies I review, as they continue to fascinate me so you’ll be seeing more of that in 2013.

6) Fasting, Feasting – Anita Desai

I loved seeing this review on the list because the book is an older one, but so good. Fasting, Feasting was beautifully written and made me want to seek out more of Desai’s work. I also loved seeing another South Asian review on this list, as it means my readers love these books as much as I do.

5) The Tiger’s Wife – Tea Obreht

Another surprise here — I liked, but didn’t love The Tiger’s Wife, and I’d assumed the hype around it had died down. It’s good to see so much literary fiction on this list, though, as I continue to want to read more and more of it.

4) Pandemonium – Lauren Oliver

I’ll admit I was shocked to see Pandemonium on this list; I’d always assumed that my YA reviews were the least read ones on my blog. That’s why I’ve been reviewing more YA over at a site I write for professionally and just doing mini-reviews here. I’m assuming most of this traffic came from searches, rather than my regular readers, but it’s interesting to note.

3) Secret Daughter – Shilpi Somaya Gowda

This is definitely the oldest review on this list, but Secret Daughter has a special place in my heart so I’m so glad to see that my readers agree with me. It’s also the third South Asian novel on this list. I put less of an emphasis on reading South Asian literature in 2012, mostly because I simply had less time to read and had to be more choosy. Seeing this list reinforces my resolve to read more South Asian literature in 2013.

2) Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn

Absolutely no surprise here — Gillian Flynn’s third novel is one of the bestselling novels of 2012. It’s a great one, so I’m glad people love it as much as I did.

1) Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children – Ransom Riggs

I’ll admit it — I was SHOCKED that this was the number one review of 2012. It’s a great book and completely deserves that spot, but it proves how eclectic my readers are. I’m so looking forward to the sequel, and to reading more offbeat books like Miss Peregrine.