Paperweight by Meg Haston

Seventeen-year-old Stevie is trapped. In her life. In her body. And now in an eating-disorder treatment center on the dusty outskirts of the New Mexico desert.

Life in the center is regimented and intrusive, a nightmare come true. Nurses and therapists watch Stevie at mealtime, accompany her to the bathroom, and challenge her to eat the foods she’s worked so hard to avoid.

Her dad has signed her up for sixty days of treatment. But what no one knows is that Stevie doesn't plan to stay that long. There are only twenty-seven days until the anniversary of her brother Josh’s death—the death she caused. And if Stevie gets her way, there are only twenty-seven days until she too will end her life.

In this emotionally haunting and beautifully written young adult debut, Meg Haston delves into the devastating impact of trauma and loss, while posing the question: Why are some consumed by their illness while others embark on a path toward recovery?

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I really wanted to love this novel. When I read the synopsis, I thought it would right up my alley, and there were parts of the this book that I did like. I liked the characters. I thought Stevie was a believable, raw, and real character. Her story was heartbreaking and I felt real sympathy for her. I liked the other girls that Stevie met at the treatment center and her shrink. I thought the compassion they had for each other was touching, and the type that you only see among a group of people who have experience brokenness. I think the story is well researched and that Haston depicts eating disorders in a real, but sensitive way. 

It is an amazingly honest, depressing, and brutal story. Haston does not sugarcoat anything. It is emotional and the emotions of the character, especially Stevie run high. But, there was still something missing for me, and I’m not even sure what it was. While I felt compassion and sympathy for the characters, I still felt a sort of disconnect, and because of this, I had a hard time truly getting into the story. I have read other similar books and have been able to feel connected to the stories, and honestly I don’t see much difference between those stories and this one. But for whatever reason, this one lacked something for me.

Having said that, I still believe that it is a worthwhile read. I am sure that it will resonate with others more strongly than it did with me. It is a good book and an important story to be told. Give it a chance. 

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

Up until senior year, Greg has maintained total social invisibility. He only has one friend, Earl, and together they spend their time—when not playing video games and avoiding Earl’s terrifying brothers— making movies, their own versions of Coppola and Herzog cult classics. Greg would be the first one to tell you his movies are f*@$ing terrible, but he and Earl don’t make them for other people. Until Rachel.

Rachel has leukemia, and Greg’s mom gets the genius idea that Greg should befriend her. Against his better judgment and despite his extreme awkwardness, he does. When Rachel decides to stop treatment, Greg and Earl must abandon invisibility and make a stand. It’s a hilarious, outrageous, and truthful look at death and high school by a prodigiously talented debut author.

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To be honest, I don't know how to feel about this book. I think that I am as indifferent to this book as Greg, the protagonist, was about writing it. Which to be fair, he is upfront about from the beginning about.

On the plus side, I found this book hilarious and on more than one occasion I found myself laughing out loud. Fantastic lines such as: "It was about the least fun social situation imaginable. If terrorists had burst into the room and tried to suffocate us in hummus, it would have been an improvement. This idea got me thinking about hummus. What is hummus, exactly? It’s basically a paste. Who eats paste? Especially a paste that resembles cat barf? You can’t deny the resemblance here. At least, when Cat Stevens barfs, it looks like hummus," appeared out of nowhere, adding unexpected humor at every turn. This is also not a "typical cancer book." In fact, Rachel, the girl with cancer, takes a secondary role and there is no typical romance story. Those hoping that this story will follow the likes of The Fault in Our Stars and Bright Side will be sorely disappointed. This book is NOTHING like what you would expect from the cancer genre.

However, because this book does not follow the norms that one would expect from this genre, I was left feeling like I missed the point. For one thing, Greg is a protagonist that doesn't change. Normally, you would expect the main character to start one way at the beginning of the book, and somehow different by the end. Not the case with Greg. He remains static throughout the entire thing. Because of this, I found him to be a far less interesting character than Earl and Rachel. He is exactly the same at the end of the story as he is at the beginning.

The only real emotion he shows is when Rachel is dying in the hospital, but it seems to be fleeting and has no real impact on him as a person. Time after time, he proves how self-centered he is by having no compassion for others and instead focusing on how the situation effects him. In the end, he attacks his only "friend" (he prefers to call Earl a "co-worker) over something that he had no control of and finds himself alone, which is what he wants. He gives up film, because he stubbornly refuses to pursue it and fulfill his promise to Rachel, but ends up flunking out of community college, only to begrudgingly take film up again a year later.

Because of the lack of character grow in the protagonist, I was unable to find a point to the story. Is the point that some people don't change no matter the circumstances? Is this light-hearted comedy mascaraing as a dark one? Is that what is lurking under the humor? If so, that is a sad and cynical (but true) way to view the world. I hope this is not the case and that there is just something I'm missing, but that may be my own faith in humanity talking...

Even after writing this review, I still can't form an opinion of this book. I cannot emphatically say "read this book," nor can I say "this book is a waste of time." I remain very much like the protagonist...completely indifferent.

Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes (Rose Gardner #1) by Denise Grover Swank

For Rose Gardner, working at the DMV on a Friday afternoon is bad even before she sees a vision of herself dead. She’s had plenty of visions, usually boring ones like someone’s toilet’s overflowed, but she’s never seen one of herself before. When her overbearing momma winds up murdered on her sofa instead, two things are certain: There isn't enough hydrogen peroxide in the state of Arkansas to get that stain out, and Rose is the prime suspect.

Rose realizes she’s wasted twenty-four years of living and makes a list on the back of a Wal-Mart receipt: twenty-eight things she wants to accomplish before her vision comes true. She’s well on her way with the help of her next door neighbor Joe, who has no trouble teaching Rose the rules of drinking, but won’t help with number fifteen-- do more with a man. Joe’s new to town, but it doesn’t take a vision for Rose to realize he’s got plenty secrets of his own.

Somebody thinks Rose has something they want and they’ll do anything to get it. Her house is broken into, someone else she knows is murdered, and suddenly, dying a virgin in the Fenton County jail isn’t her biggest worry after all.

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Just to show you how much of a book nerd I really am, I agreed to join a second book club, and this was the pick for the month. One thing that I really enjoy about being in a book club (or two) is that they often push you to read books that you would normally not consider. This book definitely falls into that category. Had I come across this book on my own, I confess that I might not have given it a read. The mystery genre is just not a genre that I tend to gravitate to on my own. Nothing against it, I’ve read some really good mysteries, it’s just not my first pick.

This is what I would call a "beach read" - one of those books that doesn't require a lot of thought, has a fairly predictable (but not boring) plot line, but is still enjoyable. I confess that if I found myself in the same situation as Rose, I would also probably make a "bucket list" of sorts (I'm too Type A not to!), although, I would hope that mine would be a bit more adventures than wear a lacy bra. At times, Rose's naivete was unrealistic and annoying, but for the most part, I found her to be an endearing character. I think I would have bought the whole "sheltered from the world" thing a little bit more is she was younger. I also wish Joe had a sexier name...I'm sorry, but "Joe" just doesn't do it for me.

The plot was fairly predictable, but written well. I had the book pretty much figured out about half way through. Nevertheless, it kept my attention and I was able to read it straight through in one day. There are several more books in this series and I do foresee myself checking them out eventually. If you are looking for an easy read to pass the afternoon with, this isn't a bad one to try.  

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Theo Decker, a thirteen-year-old New Yorker, miraculously survives an accident that kills his mother. Abandoned by his father, Theo is taken in by the family of a wealthy friend. Bewildered by his strange new home on Park Avenue, disturbed by schoolmates who don't know how to talk to him, and tormented above all by his unbearable longing for his mother, he clings to one thing that reminds him of her: a small, mysteriously captivating painting that ultimately draws Theo into the underworld of art.

As an adult, Theo moves silkily between the drawing rooms of the rich and the dusty labyrinth of an antiques store where he works. He is alienated and in love-and at the center of a narrowing, ever more dangerous circle.

The Goldfinch is a mesmerizing, stay-up-all-night and tell-all-your-friends triumph, an old-fashioned story of loss and obsession, survival and self-invention, and the ruthless machinations of fate.

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My first impression of this book? It’s long! Be prepared for a commitment if you decide to pick this one up, but I do believe that you will not be disappointed if you do. I was engaged in the story from the very first chapter, and at no point while reading did I feel like picking up a red pen and slashing unnecessary passages. At no time was the author overly verbose, the book is long because Theo’s story is involved.

I don’t know what I was expecting when I started to read this book, but my idea of the story that developed in my head after reading its synopsis, is not the book I ended up reading. The story is very cyclical in nature and Theo often finds himself circling back to people and places from his past at different times. Theo is a complicated character and I found myself alternating between dislike and pity as his story unfolded. At some points, I was overcome with compassion for the tragedy that forever changed Theo’s life, but at others I couldn’t help but shake my head at some of the choices that Theo made, especially when he himself knew they were not the best ideas. The story line was unexpected and so intricate that for the most part, I had no idea where it was going. I do wish the ending had been a bit happier/more complete, but other than that I really don’t have any complaints.

2015 Reading Challenge: A book with more than 500 pages

Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

Lottie just knows that her boyfriend is going to propose during lunch at one of London’s fanciest restaurants. But when his big question involves a trip abroad, not a trip down the aisle, she’s completely crushed. So when Ben, an old flame, calls her out of the blue and reminds Lottie of their pact to get married if they were both still single at thirty, she jumps at the chance. No formal dates—just a quick march to the altar and a honeymoon on Ikonos, the sun-drenched Greek island where they first met years ago.

Their family and friends are horrified. Fliss, Lottie’s older sister, knows that Lottie can be impulsive—but surely this is her worst decision yet. And Ben’s colleague Lorcan fears that this hasty marriage will ruin his friend’s career. To keep Lottie and Ben from making a terrible mistake, Fliss concocts an elaborate scheme to sabotage their wedding night. As she and Lorcan jet off to Ikonos in pursuit, Lottie and Ben are in for a honeymoon to remember, for better . . . or worse.

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Since February is all about Valentine's Day, my book club decided to throw our favorite love stories in a hat instead of choosing just one to read for the month. This was my pick, and I was initially excited. I have read one other book by Sophie Kinsella and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I am also familiar with her Confessions of a Shopaholic series from seeing the movie. I remembered her stories to be light romances with a splash of humor, but this one fell short for me. I didn't find the main characters all that endearing, but rather shallow and idiotic. I felt no connection to Lottie, and thought that Ben was a douche from the beginning. I actually preferred Lottie's sister's secondary story line more than hers. The humor in the book often fell flat, and it was way too long. It was a chore at times to keep going. This one was just okay for me.

2015 Reading Challenge: A book set in a different country

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.

The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he’d been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.

Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.

In her long-awaited new book, Laura Hillenbrand writes with the same rich and vivid narrative voice she displayed in Seabiscuit. Telling an unforgettable story of a man’s journey into extremity, Unbroken is a testament to the resilience of the human mind, body, and spirit.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The history geek in me has always fostered a love of WWII and the "Greatest Generation." For me, this time period exemplifies all that is good and evil in human nature. Louis Zamperini's story is so amazing that at times it was hard to remember that this was a nonfiction book. If I hadn't kept reminding myself that it was all true, I could have easily believed that it was a work of fiction, made with the express purpose of filling the reader with a sense of suspense and amazement. Just when I thought that the events of Louis's life couldn't get any worse, some other misfortune befell him. The things that this man had to endure are truly inconceivable, but what amazed me the most was that he made it through to the other side. It's sad to think how many didn't.

I liked Hillenbrand's writing style. It was fact based (including several footnotes), but not dry and boring. It read like a story, rather than a straight forward biography, and she weaved the different "character" stories together artfully. I think that she presented Louis in a way that made him human - she didn't shy away from his faults and sins, nor did she paint him as a glorified hero. Instead, I think she struck the perfect balance. The result was a remarkable testament to the human spirit.  

The story left me with a feeling of gratitude and respect for this dying generation, as well as all our service men and women. It is so easy today to take these men and women, and their sacrifices, for granted because the wars they fight are so far removed from us. The advances in our military and technology allow our country to be at war, without it really impacting the average citizens's everyday life. It was so different then. We were at war overseas and at home. While I was reading Louis story, especially the part about his struggles after returning home, I couldn't help but think about the veterans that I know and the few that make the news, who struggle to integrate back into society after literally putting their lives on the line. I couldn't help but feel like in many ways we (the collective we) fail them. But I also continue to be amazed by their stories of bravery and their willingness to stand on the front line. It takes a special breed of person to do that, and I am profoundly grateful to them all. 

Sorry, went off on a tangent there...  

Anyway, I highly recommend this book, even if you are not a history nerd/nonfiction fan. I thought the story was compelling and well written, and it made for an entertaining read.

2015 Reading Challenge: A book that became a movie

Breathe You In (Sweet Torment #1) by Joya Ryan

For years, Amy Underwood has been wracked by guilt over her sister’s fatal overdose. With one last shot at redemption, she is determined to open a drug treatment center—even if it means her shameful secret will be exposed. But when she sneaks into the biggest political event of the year in search of funding, she quickly discovers that in the world of fast-paced politics there is always a price—and this one could cost her everything.

Running for a second term, the young governor of New York, Roman Reese, finds that his privileged past and dark childhood could not only threaten the blue-collar vote—but his reputation and livelihood as a politician. So when he meets a sexy woman with big ambitions, he quickly strikes a deal: He’ll see that Amy’s clinic obtains funding, and she’ll play the down-to-earth girlfriend to help his electability. They’ll keep the relationship strictly business, scripted to the last detail, and end it when the polls close.

But secrecy and desire have a way of binding hearts. As Election Day draws closer, so do Amy and Roman—until the discovery of one final deceit threatens to tear them apart for good.

To be honest, I wasn't expecting to like this book. This was a book club pick, and when I read the blurb, I got the impression that I had read this story before. I thought that it was going to be predictable and cliche, but I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised. Both Amy and Roman have issues, which gave the story plenty of angst. There were enough twists in the story to keep it interesting, and I liked the push and pull of Amy and Roman's relationship. Roman, especially, had some serious walls that needed to be pulled down. There are plenty of steamy scenes, which makes it more NA than strictly romance, and it had all the things that a lover of NA novels would want. It was a quick read, and can be read as a stand alone. There is a sequel/spin off novel, Only You, which will feature Amy's friend, Paige, that is due out in August. I liked this novel enough to want to read the next one. I'm glad that I gave this one a chance.

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo

“Do you remember the hospital, Colton?” Sonja said. “Yes, mommy, I remember,” he said. “That’s where the angels sang to me.”

When Colton Burpo made it through an emergency appendectomy, his family was overjoyed at his miraculous survival. What they weren’t expecting, though, was the story that emerged in the months that followed—a story as beautiful as it was extraordinary, detailing their little boy’s trip to heaven and back.

Colton, not yet four years old, told his parents he left his body during the surgery–and authenticated that claim by describing exactly what his parents were doing in another part of the hospital while he was being operated on. He talked of visiting heaven and relayed stories told to him by people he met there whom he had never met in life, sharing events that happened even before he was born. He also astonished his parents with descriptions and obscure details about heaven that matched the Bible exactly, though he had not yet learned to read.

With disarming innocence and the plainspoken boldness of a child, Colton tells of meeting long-departed family members. He describes Jesus, the angels, how “really, really big” God is, and how much God loves us. Retold by his father, but using Colton’s uniquely simple words,Heaven Is for Real offers a glimpse of the world that awaits us, where as Colton says, “Nobody is old and nobody wears glasses.”

Heaven Is for Real will forever change the way you think of eternity, offering the chance to see, and believe, like a child.

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And he [Jesus] said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:3

I can't say that I had any profound epiphanies while reading this book, but I was struck by the above Bible verse, which is referenced in the book. It is so easy for children to believe and have faith. They are absolutely fearless and they see the world with such purity. It's sad to think that it is the loss of that child innocence that bogs us down with fear and doubt. How sad, that as we grow up and gain life experience, we lose a truly special part of ourselves that we will struggle to regain for the rest of our lives. Even Colton's father, a pastor, found it hard to believe his son's story at first. How much easier life would be if we could all just return to that part of ourselves?

This is a remarkable little story, and a very enjoyable and quick read. If you are a believer, than I think there is a lot in here that can reaffirm your beliefs and give you hope for beyond this life. I liked how Todd included several passages from the Bible that aligned with what Colton said about heaven, as he discussed his own apprehensions about the validity of his son's story. I also appreciated the fact that he was honest in his skepticism, even though he was a pastor. This story is not "preachy" in any way, and came across as an honest retelling of a horrific experience that turned into a blessing not only for the Burpo Family, but many others as well. Sometimes our darkest hour is one of God's mercies in disguise.

The Voluntourist by Ken Budd

"Sometimes, in life, you can drive a familiar road and not know where you are going."

After the unexpected death of his father, Ken Budd finds himself questioning his own life and what he wants out of it. His father's death leads Ken to examine his life and face some hard truths - namely his grief over the fact that he and his wife would never have children. His grief leads him to undertake six voluntourism trips around the world. With each trip, Ken seeks to find purpose, to lead a "life that matters." In his memoir, Ken recounts these trips, remembering the people he met and the lessons he learned along the way. 

I read a quote once (I don't remember exactly what it said or who said it, so I'm totally paraphrasing here) that said something like: "Nothing messes with our happiness like the vision in our head of what our lives are supposed to look like." I remember being struck by the absolute truth behind the statement (I know you're thinking, "How can that be if you don't remember the exact quote?" It was more of the message than the words that struck me). When I think back on the times in my life where I felt lost or uncertain, they are, more often than not, the moments where the reality of my life did not match up with the picture in my head of what my life should look like. In hindsight, I can now recognize those moments as blessings, as they often led me to something far superior to my original vision. But that is a realization that only comes after time has pasted, tears have fallen, and many prayers have been said. When you are in those moments, it's hard to let go.

I think this is what I connected to most in Ken's story. The reality of his life did not match up to the vision he had in his head, and because of that, he was forced to reexamine his life and redefine that vision. I think that this is a pretty universal struggle that all of us find ourselves facing at least once (probably more) in life. We are all searching for meaning in this life, for some way to spend our "650,000 hours" that will leave a mark in this world, so that we are not forgotten. Sometimes leaving home, the familiar, is the only way that we can put enough distance between ourselves and the vision and gain the clarity that we need. I think this is why many of us, including Ken, turn to travel. I love to travel. I love visiting new place and experiencing new cultures, and there are few things in life that will teach you about yourself quite like traveling, especially on your own. 

As I read about Ken's travels, I could not help drawing parallels between the lessons he learned while traveling and many of the things I have learned from my own travels. His stories are full of humor, honesty, and the truth that we are not as different from each other as we would like to believe. I appreciated his candor and honesty. This wasn't a quick read for me. I found lines that caused me to stop and ponder. I definitely felt inspired to undertake my own voluntourism trip, as I think many who read his book will be. A solid 4-star read for me. 

Wallbanger (Cocktail #1) by Alice Clayton

Book I: Wallbanger
When Caroline moved into her new San Francisco apartment, she never imaged that she would get to know her next door neighbor so intimately. The thin wall between her bedroom and her neighbor's bedroom gives her a front row seat to her neighbor's sexual prowess. Night after night, Caroline is privy to the sounds of ecstasy coming through the wall from a seeming endless parade of women.

On a self-imposed dating hiatus after a string of bad dates has sent Caroline's "O" into exile, her neighbor's antics only fuel the frustration. After several sleepless nights, Caroline charges across the hall (in a pink baby-doll nightie) to confront the man responsible for her lack of sleep, only to find herself face to face with Simon Parker, a devilishly handsome photographer.

Soon after their late night encounter, Simon and Caroline's paths begin to cross more and more. Deciding to call a truce when their friends begin dating, Simon and Caroline find that they have quite a bit in common and a friendship between them develops. The only problem is, they are both fighting their own mutual attraction. As the tension continues to build, the couple gives new meaning to the idea that sometimes what you want and what you need are right in front of you.

Alice Clayton delivers a steamy romance with a slash of humor that makes for a great read. The characters are great and Caroline's narrative had me laughing out loud several times throughout the novel. It was just the blend of romance, sex, and humor. The banter between Caroline and Simon was highly entertaining and I enjoyed watching these two characters come together. There is a sequel scheduled to be released in June and at least two other books planned for this series, and I will be picking them up. The upcoming titles and covers are fantastic (see below) and I can't wait to see what's next for this couple and what other adventures Alice has in store for us.

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Coming up in the Cocktail Series...

Book II: Rusty Nailed (June, 2014)

In this sequel to Wallbanger, the second book in the Cocktail series, fan favorites Caroline and Simon negotiate the rollercoaster of their new relationship while house-sitting in San Francisco.

Playing house was never so much fun—or so confusing. With her boss on her honeymoon, Caroline’s working crazy long hours to keep the interior design company running—especially since she’s also the lead designer for the renovation of a gorgeous old hotel on Sausalito. So with her hotshot photographer boyfriend gallivanting all over the world for his job, she and Simon are heavy-duty into “absence makes the heart grow fonder” mode. Neither has any complaints about the great reunion sex, though! Then Simon decides he’s tired of so much travelling, and he’s suddenly home more. A lot more. And wanting Caroline home more, too. Though their friends’ romantic lives provide plenty of welcome distraction, eventually Caroline and Simon have to sort their relationship out. Neither wants “out of sight, out of mind,” but can they create their own happy mid-ground cliché?

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Book III: Screwdrivered (September, 2014)

In the third book in the bestselling Cocktail series, a romantic at heart decides that she will not ever, under any circumstances, fall for the engineer next door.

Viv Franklin is a retired Army captain who now designs software programs. She’s also a romance junkie who longs for a knight in shining armor or a cowboy on a wild stallion or a strapping firefighter to sweep her off her feet. Knowing she’s never going to meet her hero by spending all her time behind her keyboard, she uproots her life to move to California, where she meets an actual cowboy. And—sigh—an engineer. But which man is truly Clark Kent and which is her Superman?

A madcap romantic comedy with unforgettable characters and the promise of true love, Screwdrivered has just what you need.

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Book IV: Mai Tai'd Up (December, 2014)

Synopsis TBA

A Christmas Star by Thomas Kinkade

"Connection. Reunion. Reconciliation. Unconditional love. Those are a few of the deep threads that run through this story's rich tapestry. Those are lessons we can all take to heart."

Sam and Jessica Morgan's life is turned upside down when a fire claims their home. Left with nothing, the family finds itself making the rounds of their relative's houses as they figure out how to get back on their feet. The stress causes Sam and Jessica to pull away from each other instead of pull together. As the tension mounts, both Sam and Jessica struggle to remember what's really important.

Jack Baxter is not in the Christmas spirit. Mourning the loss of his wife and estranged from his only son, Jack has shut himself off from the world. When car troubles lead Julie and Kate to show up on his doorstep, Jack finds his heart thawing day by day. But after living alone for so long, he is unsure if he can be what Julie and Kate deserve.

This is a heartwarming little Christmas tale, which serves as a great reminder as to what is really important in life - love, family, and friends. Life is not easy and there will always be bumps along the way. It is important to remain grateful for the people in our lives, for they are what make life worth living. This book is part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone. It's nothing spectacular, but if you are looking for a quick little Christmas read, this is a good one.

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

The Devil in the White City weaves together the story of the World's Fair that was held in Chicago in 1893 and the tale of a serial killer who used the Fair to lure in his victims. This is the second book that I have read by Erik Larson and I have to say that I really enjoy his writing style. Some people criticize this style of writing as sensationalism and question it's historical value. I, however, find it entertaining and engaging.

Let's face it. History can be boring. I think all of us can recall a high school history teacher who spent their time boring us to tears. We are always looking for ways to make history "come alive," and I think that Larson accomplishes this quite well. Yes, I do think that there is some sensationalism and I'm sure that Larson had to take some creative license. Nevertheless, his work is also meticulously researched. His citations are primary sources and he mentions in his notes that he does not use the internet to do research. The result is a book that reads more like a mystery novel than a dry historical narrative.

For all you history buffs out there, I recommend that you give Larson a chance.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

Let me start by saying that I am a fan of Mindy Kaling, especially as Kelly Kapoor on The Office. When this book was released, I instantly added it to my "to read" list, where it quickly got buried in the avalanche of my ever expanding list. So you can imagine my pleasure when my book club selected it for our September book.

Mindy's commentary covers a variety of topics, from her childhood to how she got the job on The Office, to her thoughts on cupcakes. Overall, I have to say that this book was just okay...I had anticipated that this book would be funnier than it was and I was somewhat disappointed. While there were funny stories/anecdotes, I did not find myself laughing hysterically. The book isn't boring and I found some of her stories relatable, I was just expecting more.

Ender's Game (Ender's Saga #1) by Orson Scott Card

Andrew "Ender" Wiggin is the government's last hope. He is part of a government program to create child geniuses and train them as soldiers. The government is looking for a commander to lead an attack against an alien race, known as the Buggers, that have already devastated the world. Ender's brother and sister didn't make the cut, but Ender is recruited and drafted into Battle School for military training. While there, Ender faces several challenges - isolation, fierce competition, pressure from his demanding teachers - all while fighting mock battles in zero gravity in the Battle Room. Despite his challenges, Ender emerges as a leader and brilliant strategist.

Yet he is still very much a child, who fears that he will become like his cruel brother, Peter, and misses his sister, Valentine. As Ender advances quickly through the ranks, he is pushed to his very limits and becomes increasingly unwilling to play the games. However with the fate of the world hanging in the balance, Ender's role in the games is more essential than ever.

I really enjoyed this book, more so than I thought I would. I really liked the character of Ender. It was so easy at times to forget that he was in fact a child. I kept envisioning someone older until something would happen that would remind me of how young he really was. There were several interesting dynamics in this book - the relationships between the child soldiers, the relationships between the teachers and students, the relationship between Ender and Graff, the relationship between Peter and Valentine. It is a remarkably intelligent story for a young adult book with themes that are rather advanced. The story was very well written and the plot had plenty of twists in it to keep it interesting. There are several more books in the series and I will definitely be picking up them up. I am also looking forward to seeing the movie when it is released in November. I have a feeling that it will translate well onto the big screen.

The Company You Keep by Neil Gordon

The year is 2006. Seventeen-year-old Isabel Montgomery begins to receive emails from her father, the man whose secrets forever altered her life at the tender age of 7 when a newspaper reporter exposes him, resulting in him abandoning her in a New York City hotel room. Through these emails, sent to her by her father and other members of "The Committee," Isabel learns that her father, Jason Sinai, had been living under a false identity to escape facing charges stemming from a robbery gone wrong in 1974.

As the story unfolds, all of her family's secrets will be revealed - her father's involvement in Weather, a Vietnam anti-war movement; her mother's drug problems, the discovery a half-sister, and the real reason why her father abandoned her all those years before. However, these emails also serve another purpose - her father and "The Committee" will also ask something of Isabel, something that will force her decide the company she will keep.

I liked this book. The story is interesting and full of twists and turns. Neil Gordon does a good job weaving all the different narratives together and the story comes full circle in the end. While enjoying the book's historical references, I have to admit that I have not studied the anti-war movements of the 1960s and 1970s in great detail. I had never heard of the Weather Underground Organization (a.k.a. Weather) and had to Google it to see if it was even a real thing. An understanding of the historical references, while providing an interesting context, are not entirely essential to being able to follow the story. There are enough explanation in the story to provide context, without turning into a history lesson.

The book was turned into a movie, starring and directed by Robert Redford, and I am curious to see how it compares to the novel when it is finally released on DVD.

 

The Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi

Book 1: Shatter Me
Juliette has a dark gift - she is able to kill someone with a simple touch. She has been locked up by The Reestablishment - an organization who seized control after the Earth's destruction. For over 200 days Juliette has been locked up in a cell by herself. When Adam Kent, someone from her past she never expected to see again, becomes her new cellmate, Juliette finds herself falling for him. However Adam isn't all that he seems - he is a soldier with The Reestablishment and he has been searching for Juliette ever since she disappeared. The Reestablishment, lead by Warner, plan to use Juliette's gift to help destroy the rebel forces. Warner has also been searching for Juliette for a long time and he has become obsessed with her, wanting her for more than just her gift. With the help of Adam and another soldier,  Kenji, Juliette flees the confines of The Reestablishment to join the Omega Point, a rebel outpost home to others with special abilities like Juliette. With Warner hunting her, it is only a matter of time before Juliette will have to take a stand and fight back.

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Book 1.5: Destroy Me
This short novella is told from the point of view of Warner and picks up where Shatter Me ends. Now that Juliette has escaped, Warner is desperate to get her back. His fascination with her has turned into something more and he finds himself feeling things he has never experienced before - Warner has fallen for Juliette. Warner's father, the supreme leader of The Reestablishment, has arrived in Sector 45 to oversee the capture of Juliette and punishment of Adam and Kenji. Juliette has become a liability to him and his power, inspiring in the citizens the hope of resistance and he is determined to find her and destroy her. Warner is also determined to find her, but his reasons for doing so differ greatly from his father's.

I enjoyed this novella quite a bit and have to admit that it has changed my opinion of Warner. I find myself not being able to hate him quite so much and feeling sorry for him, now that I have been in his head and understand him better. This of course was probably the motive behind this book. I'm interested to see how this will play out in the next books, as we clearly have the makings of another epic love triangle.

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Book 2: Unravel Me
Juliette has escaped with Adam, Kenji and James to Omega Point, a refuge for people like Juliette with special gifts and headquarters of a budding resistance movement. Juliette should feel relieved - she is safe, for now - but safety does not bring peace. Juliette struggles to find her place in Omega Point and as war becomes imminent, Juliette must decide what role she is willing to play, if she is willing to stand up and fight back. At Omega Point, Juliette struggles to control her abilities, discovering new facets of her gift that she never knew existed. The researchers at Omega Point also help Adam discover the reasons behind why he is able to touch Juliette. He too has a gift, but the limits of his gift force Juliette to make a painful decision between what she wants and Adam's life.

When Warner is captured by the resistance, Juliette can't help the draw she feels towards him, despite the love she has for Adam. She wants desperately to hate him, but can't. He is the only one who knows her deepest, darkest thoughts, and he can touch her in a way that Adam cannot. Warner, however, is too steeped in his past, to resistant to change, too reluctant to fight back against his father. But Supreme Commander Anderson is determined to crush the rebel resistance and the spark of hope they have ignited amongst the people of Sector 45. As the battle commences  no one knows what to expect or who will survive, but Juliette knows what her choice will be - she will fight.

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I have enjoyed with series immensely so far and I love Tahereh Mafi's writing style! The way she uses words and describes things is magical and extraordinarily beautiful. I love the vocabulary she uses and how things are crossed out, italicized  and presented in a never ending stream of consciousness. I did find myself slightly annoyed in some places in Unravel Me as the love triangle between Juliette, Adam and Warner played out. Adam became a little too desperate and I was annoyed with Juliette (as I always am when it comes to love triangles) and her inability to resist Warner, when she is so clearly in love with Adam. But that seems to be the way with these series and as much as I dislike it, it does make for compelling reading...

I am excited to see how this story will play out. According to Goodreads, we should be expecting an as of yet untitled short novella in December, 2013 and book three to be released in February, 2014, which means that I will have to (im)patiently wait for the next installment in the series. This is definitely a must read!